//.  9  .  /o 


^.i^^ 


^^^ 


^i  i\\t  Wolagicui 


PRINCETON,  N.  J. 


'^A 


% 


'^ 


sec 


Division.. 


Section.. 


*     NOV  9"  1910 


FORI^T    YEARS    AT    liARITAK. 


Eight  MemoPiIAl  Sermons. 


NOTES  FOR  A  HISTORY  OP  THE  REFORMED  DUTCH  CHURCHES 
IN    SOMERSET   COUNTY,   N.  J. 


ABRAHAM    MESSLER,    D.D., 

PASTOR    OF    THE    CHURCH    OF    UARITAN. 


New- York  : 
A.     LLOYD,     No.    7  2  9     BROADWAY 

1873. 


Entered,  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  tlie  year  1873, 

By  AARON  LLOYD, 

In  the  Office  of  the  Librarian  of  Congress,  at  Washington,  D.  C. 


PREFACE. 


The  first  four  sermons  were  originally  published  in  1852. 
They  are  republished  now,  because  they  have  been  long  out  of 
print.  The  whole  includes  a  record  of  the  views,  sentiments,  and 
labors  of  forty  years  in  one  congregation,  and  are  intended  as  a 
legacy  to  friends. 

The  appendix  is  added  to  dispose  of  matter  collected  through 
all  these  years,  and  which  it  is  thought  ought  not  to  be  lost.  We 
are  indebted  to  the  Plistorical  Discourses  of  Rev.  Dr.  Steel  and 
E.  T.  CoRWix  for  man  J'  things  relating  to  New-Brunswick  and 
Millstone.  These  discourses  are  almost  invaluable.  Other  friends 
have  aided  as  they  could,  and  have  our  thanks.  The  Avhole  vol- 
ume is  a  contribution  of  the  heart  to  my  own  people,  and  gene- 
rally to  the  churches  in  Somerset  County. 

ABRAHAM  MESSLER. 

SoMERViLLE,  N.  J.,  November,  1872. 


TABLE    OF    CONTEIS^TS. 


PREFACE. 


PAGE 

iii 


Sermon    I. 

II. 
III. 
IV. 

V. 

VI. 

VII. 

VIII. 


A  PASTOR'S  MEMORIAL. 

The    Pastor    longing    for    the    Salvation  of  his 

People /i 

The  Revivals  in  the  Church  op  Rauitan   20 

Experience   and   Death  instructing  Men 40 

An  Improvement  of   thp:    Past , 58 

Remembrance    of  former  Days 75 

The   REHEARS.A.L    OF    THE     PaST   FOR   INSTRUCTION 91 

Former  Things  to  be  remembered  and  improa'ed  .  .   106 
God  with  us  Forty  Years 125 


THE  FORTIETH  ANNIVERSARY  OF  DR.  MESSLER'S  PASTO- 
RATE.— The  Prepai'atioiis — Cler<r.vmen  present— Rev.  Dr.  G.  Ludlow't; 
Prayer — Dr.  John  A.  Todd's  Add ressr^— Addresses  by  A.  M.  Quick  and 
Rev.  A.  F.  Tood — Prayer  loy  Rev.  N.  Conklinji' — Tlie  Rece]ition — 
Presentation  Note 141 

HISTORICAL  NOTES. 
The  Church  of  Raritan. — Early  Settlement — First  Settlers — In  New- 
Brunswick,  Raritan — Tliree  and  Six-Mile  Run — Churches  org-anized 
and  visited  by  G.  Bertholff— T.  J.  Frelinglinysen  called  to  Raritan — 
Three  and  Six-Mile  Run,  North-Branch — Meniljers  of  the  Church  of 
the  River  and  Lawrence  Brook — The  Character  of  Frelinfyhuysen  and 
his  Labors — The  Great  Revival — Opposition  to  his  Evangelical  Doc- 
trines and  Preaching — The  Advocate  dissected — Notices  of  Mr.  Freling- 
huysen's  Family — Date  of  Death  not  known — His  son  John  succeeds 
him — He  is  succeeded  by  J.  R.  Ilardenbergh — Dinah  Van  Berofh — 
Hardenbergh's  ('haractcr  and  Ministry — Raritan  Churcli  burned  by  the 
Queen's  Rangers — Hardenbergh  resigns  and  becomes  Piesident  of 
Queen's  College — T.  F.  Romeyn  called — John  Duryea  succeeds  hini — 
'i'lie  Church  reV)uilt — J.  S.  Vredenburgh's  successful  Ministry — R.  1). 
Van  Kleek's  Pastorate — Dr.  Messier  succeeds  him — Ministers  from  the 
Raritan   Church 150 


.  vi  •  CONTENTS. 

The  Church  of  New  Brunswick. — Early  Settlement  by  John  Inians 
&  Co. — The  Church  at  Three-Mile  Run — Early  Sul;scription  List — a 
Church  erected  in  New-Brunswick — Differences  harmonized  by  services 
in  the  town  and  at  'i'hree  and  Six-Mile  Run — Nourished  by  Ministers 
from  Long  Island — List  of  the  Families  in  the  River  Church — T.  J. 
Frelinghuyseu  called — "Old  Gonferentie  Families" — Emigrants  from 
Albany — V.  Antonides  organizes  the  Conferentie — Whitefield  preaches 
— J.  Lej'dt  settled  by  the  Coetus — His  Sons — J.  R.  Hai'denbergh  Pastor — 
Succeeded  by  Ira  Condit — John  Schureman's  Pastorate — Jesse  Fonda's 
Ministry — Dr.  John  Ludlow's  Labors — Succeeded  in  turn  by  Isaac  Ferris, 
J.  B.  Hardeubergh,  and  Jacob  J.  Janeway — S.  B.  How's  long  and  faith- 
ful Pastorate— R.  H.  Steele  called 204 

Six-Mile  Run  Church. — Churcli  organized  and  the  first  House 
erected — Heads  of  Families — New  Church  erected — Separates  fiom 
New-Brunswick  and  \inites  with  Millstone  in  calling  J.  M.  Van 
liarlingen — His  Character  sketched — Recollections  of  him  by  Dr. 
Wyckoff — James  S.  Cannon  called  in  1797 — Sketch  of  his  Life,  Labors, 
and  Character — James  Romeyn  called — His  Character  and  Ministry — 
Succeeded  by  J.  C.  Sears 223 

Church  of  Readington. — Record  of  Baptisms  and  Consistorial  Meet- 
ings— Conferentie  Tendencies  and  Movements — Helpers  appointed — 
New  Church  erected  and  this  replaced  by  another — New  Consistory 
elected — Action  of  the  Coetus — Conferentie  Statement  of  the  Differences 
between  the  Parties — Dom.  Fryenmoet's  Labors — Geriit  Leydecker 
preaches — S.  Van  Arsdale  called — Peter  Studdiford— John  Van  Liew's 
long   Pastorate — J.  G.Van  Slyke  called 239 

Church  of  Harlingen. — Organized  by  the  Conferentie — Henricus 
Coens — V.  Antonideus'  Labors — John  Arondeus'  Course — Action  of  the 
Coetus  respecting  him — A  Coetus  Church  organized,  and  a  House 
erected  at  Sourlaud — List  of  Members — Joli.  M.  Van  Hailingen's 
Pastorate — William  Richmond  Smith's  Ministry — Name  of  Church 
changed  to  Harlingen — Henry  Polhemus — Blawenburgh  secures  a 
House  of  Worship — Peter  Labagh  called — His  Ministry — Estimates  of 
his  Character  by  Drs.  Ludlow  and  Bethune — John  Gardener  called ....  253 

Church  of  Neshanic— Organization — Baptismal  Register— J.  R. 
Hardenbi-rgh  the  first  Pastor — Solomon  Froeligh  succeeds  him — 
Gabriel  Ludlow  called  and  still  Pastor 208 

Church  of  Millstone.— Organized  as  Presbyteiian— This  replaced  by 
a  Dutch  Church — Seventy  Families  petition  for  Preaching  Services — 
House  of  Worshij)  built — Parsonage  secured — F.  C.  Foering's  Minis- 
try— Somerset  County  Court-house  burned — S.  Froeligh  called — His 
call  acted  upon  directly  by  the  Synod— His  removal  to  Schraelenbergh 
— Seccssif)n  and  Death— J.  L.  Zabriskie's  Ministry  and  Character— He 
is  succeeded  l)y  John  De  Witt  and  E.  T.  Corwin 373 


CONTENTS.  Vll 

The  Church  of  Bedminstek. — An  Outpost  of  Ravitan — Organized — 
House  of  V\"orslup  built — History  involved  with  that  of  Raritan  and 
Readinjjton — John  Schureman  called — Charles  Hardenburgli  called — 
I.  M.  Fisher  called — The  Ministry  of  George  Schenck — William  Brush 
called— Charles  H.  Pool,  Pastor 382 

The  Church  op  Lebanon. — Of  German  origin — Michael  Schlatter's 
Missionary  Labors  in  Lebanon,  Amwell,  and  German  Valley — John 
Conrad  Wirtz,  the  first  Pastor — Supplied  by  William  Kails,  C.  M. 
Stapel,  J.  W.  G.  Nevelling,  and  F.  Dalliker — Casper  Wack's  Pastorate 
— Baptismal  Register — German  supplies  failing — Unites    with  White 

.  House  and  calls  Jacob  J.  Schultz — Charles  P.  Wack,  Pastor — Robert 
Van  Amburgh,  John  Steele,  and  Van  Benschoten.  successively, 
Pastors 290 

White  House. — Church  organized — Admissions  to — Calls  C.  T.  Dema- 
rest,  and  erects  a  Church  Edifice — Calls  J.  J.  Schultz  and  P.  S.  Wil- 
liamson, James  Otterson,  George  Tallmadge,  L.  L.  Comfort,  Aaron 
Lloyd,   Smith   Sturgis,  and  William  Bailey 297 

THE   MORE    RECENT    CHURCHES. 
North-Branch  Church. — Grew  out  of  the  great  Revival — George  H. 
Fisher,  A.  D.  Wilson,  James  K.  Campbell  and  P.  M.  Doolittle,  succes 
sively,  Pastors— Church  Edifices  erected  1826  and  1854 302 

BIjAWENBurg  Church. — Organized  out  of  Harlingeu,  and  erects  a  House 
of  Worship — Henry  Hermann,  J.  R.  Talmage,  T.  B.  Romeyn,  C.  W. 
Fritts,  and  W.  B.  Voorhees,  Pastors — A  flourishing  Church 303 

Middlebush  Church. — Organized  out  of  NeAv-Brunswick — J.J.  Schultz 
the  first  Pastor — Succeeded  by  J.  A.  Van  Doren,  George  W.  Swayne, 
and  S.  L.  Mershon 305 

Clover  Hill  Church. — Organized  by  S.  A.  Bumstead — Edifice  dedicated 
— Garrett  C.  Schenck,  William  Demarest,  Pastors — Becomes  Presby- 
terian— Returns  to  the  Classis  of  Philadelphia — Calls  W.  B.  Voorhees. 
and  again  B.  Oliver 306 

Raritan,  Second  Church. — Organized  and  built  a  House  of  Worship 
— Call  Charles  Whitehead — He  is  followed  by  T.  W.  Chambers,  E.  R. 
Craven,  and  J.  F.  Mesick 306 

Stanton,  or  Mt.  Pleasant  Church. — Organized  out  of  Readington — 
Built  a  House  and  called  J.  R.  Van  Arsdale. — He  was  succeeded  by 
H.  Doolittle,  and  he  by  Edward  Cornell 307 

New-Brunswick,  Second  Church. — Formed  out  of  the  First — Present 
House  of  Worship  erected — Succession  of  Pastors 808 

Griggstown  Church. — Organized  in  1842— Builds  a  House — Calls  J.  S. 
Lord— Then  J.  A.  Todd,  E.  P.  Livingston,  and  S.  Searle 309 


vni  CONTENTS, 

BouNDBROOK  CiiURCii. — Organized — Builds  and  dedicates  a  House,  and 
calls,  successively,  G.  J.  Van  Neste,  W.  Demarest,  H.  V.  Voorliees,  B. 
F.   Romaine,  and  J.   C.  Dutclier 310 

Raritan,  Third  Church. — A  Chapel  and  Preacliiag  Station  prepares 
for  the  organization — Church  erected  and  dedicated — P.  Stryker  called, 
and  succeeded  by  J.  A.  H.  Cornell  and  J.  Lc  Fever 310 

Peapack  Church. — Organized  1848 — Edifice  built  and  dedicated — Wil- 
liam Anderson  called — H.  P.  Thompson,  Pastor 311 

Branchville  Church. — Organized,  builds  and  dedicates  a  House, 
1850— Calls  H.  Dater,  then  William   Pitcher 812 

Easton  Church. — Organized — Calls  J.  H.  M.  Knox — New  Edifice  dedi- 
cated— This  sold  and  another  built— C.  H.  Edgar  called 312 

East  Millstone  Church. — Organized  with  18  members — Build  a 
House— Call  G.  Vander  Wall,  then  David  Cole,  M.  L.  Berger,  W.  H. 
Phraner,  and  A.  Mc William 314 

Rocky  Hill  Church. — Organized — House  dedicated — Martin  S.  Schenck 
called,  then  Oscar   Gesner  and  H.  C.  Berg ....   315 

POTTERSVILLE  CHURCH. — Organization — House  dedicated — T.  W.  Jones 
called— Succeeded  by  F.  B.  Carroll 316 

High  Bridge  >  Church. — Organization — House  erected — Pastors,  J. 
Wyckoflf",  K.  Van  Amburgh,  J.  Fehrnian 317 

Clinton  Station  Church. — Organized  out  of  Lebanon  and  supplied 
by   J.  A.  Van   Doren   317 

German  Churches 317 

Plainfield  Church 318 

Charter  of  the  Five  Churches 318 

General  Index 324 


A  PASTOR'S  MEMORIAL. 


THE    FIEST    SEKMON. 

PiJEACiiED  Oct.  29Tn,  1837. 

THE    PASTOR    LONGING    FOR    THE    SALVATION   OF   HIS    PEOPLE, 

"  On  !  tliat  my  head  were  waters,  aud  mine  eyes  a  fountain  of  tears,  tliat  I 
might  weep  day  and  night  for  the  slain  of  the  daugliter  of  my  people." — 
Jeremiah  9 :  1. 

The  immediate  occasion  prompting  tliis  patlietic  language 
on  the  part  of  tlie  propliet  was  tlie  anticipated  destruction 
of  tlie  city  of  Jerusalem,  as  a  consequence  of  the  sins  and 
apostasy  of  its  inhabitants.  He  could  not  see  that  sacred 
city  where  was  the  sanctuary  of  Jehovah,  and  where  "  the 
tribes  went  up  to  worship,  even  the  tribes,  in  the  temple  of 
the  Lord,"  given  to  desolation,  and  all  his  kindred  involved  in 
its  ruin,  without  tears.  The  "  slain  of  the  daughter  of  his 
})coplo"  awaked  his  tenderest  sympathies  and  made  him  feel 
as  if  he  ought  to  weep,  even  more  than  nature  allowed  him  to 
do.  When  he  saw  the  dreadful  scene,  it  appeared  to  him  that 
he  was  not  adequately  aifected  by  it— his  conceptions  were  not 
as  vivid  and  his  heart  as  sensible  as  the  magnitude  of  the  evil 
rendered  proper ;  and  he  prayed  for  "  a  fountain  of  tears,"  that 
they  might  flow  continually ;  for  his  "  head  to  dissolve  in 
waters,"  that  he  might  "  weep  day  and  night." 

"When  he  considered  the  state  of  the  people,  ho  did  not  find 
any  thing  in  their  moral  condition  to  afford  him  any  hope ; 
nor  did  their  obstinacy  seem  to  forebode  any  thing  but  a  cer- 
tainty that  God  Avould  execute  his  threatened  vengeance, 
lie  had  not  even  pleasure  in  associating  with  them,  on  account 
1 


6  MEMOEIAL  SERMONS. 

of  their  marked  impiety,  and  tlie  filtlij  conversation  of  the 
wicked  which  pained  his  ears ;  and  he  longed  for  the  solitude 
of  the  desert,  where  he  might  be  alone  and  unvexed.  "  O 
that  I  had  in  the  wilderness  a  lodging  place  of  wayfaring 
men,  that  I  might  leave  my  people  and  go  from  them."  On 
every  side  their  provocations  seemed  rapidly  to  increase  ;  and 
from  every  place  the  evidence  of  their  apostasy  appeared  to 
rise  np,  convincing  him  that  it  was  impossible  that  the 
threatened  vengeance  should  fail.  Nineveh  had  repented  and 
its  guilty  inhabitants  been  spared;  even  Sodom  would  not 
have  been  consumed  if  there  had  been  found  five  righteous 
men  in  it ;  but  for  Jerusalem,  in  its  abounding  corruptions, 
and  hardened  impenitency,  there  w^as  no  hope  :  from  the  peo- 
ple even  to  the  priest,  all  did  wickedly — all  perverted  judg- 
ment, and  hastened  on  the  direful  calamity  that  was  to  sweep 
them  almost  entirely  from  the  face  of  the  earth,  and  make 
their  name  a  by-word  among  the  nations.  Was  not  the 
prophet  justified  in  manifesting  such  deep  emotion?  Was 
the  fervor  of  his  feelings'any  thing  but  what  the  scene,  as  he 
saw  it  before  him,  was  calculated  to  produce? 

The  text  admits  of  a  natural  and  profitable  application  to 
our  circumstances.  There  is  no  sin  more  heinous  in  tlie  sight 
of  heaven  than  the  ingratitude  and  impenitence  of  a  Christian 
l)eople.  There  is  none  which  sooner  and  more  certainly  calls 
down  the  vengeance  of  God.  Have  w^e  any  of  it  ?  And  shall 
we  then  hope  to  escape  ?  Ah !  indeed,  w^hen  we  consider  what 
our  privileges  have  been  and  how  we  have  improved  them ; 
what  hardness,  impenitency,  and  worldliness  we  have  exhibit- 
ed in  our  conduct ;  how  many  warnings  of  his  providence 
have  been  in  vain,  and  how  many  solicitations  of  his  love  have 
failed ;  what  years  of  provocation  and  rebellion  we  have  spent ; 
we  may  well  tremble;  and  our  pastors  and  Christian  friends 
may  well  seek  to  move  us,  and  express  their  sympathy  for  us 
in  the  affecting  language  of  Jeremiah,  "  Oh !  that  my  head 
were  waters,  and  mine  eyes  a  fountain  of  tears,  that  I  might 
weep  day  and  night  for  the  slain  of  the  daughter  of  my 
peoj^le." 

Here  is  a  striking   and  beautiful   sentiment.      Let  us  en- 
deavor to  improve  it  by  making  it  the  theme  of  our  present 


HEMOEIAL   SERMONS.  7 

meditations.  It  may  express  the  solicitude  with  wliich,  after 
so  many  years  of  vain  effort,  we  regard  you  to-day.  If  we 
consider  it  carefully  we  shall  find  it  to  yield  us  most  important 
and  varied  instruction.     We  remark — 

I.  It  shows  us  the  feelings  of  a  Christian  pastor,  when  his 
w^arnings  are  unheeded,  his  expostulations  fail,  and  he  sees  his 
people  stupid,  imj)enitent,  and  hardened,  while  wickedness  in- 
creases and  the  word  is  as  if  it  were  sown  amonix  thorns  or  on 
a  rock. 

Without  feigning  any  thing  or  pretending  what  is  not  ex- 
perienced, I  appropriate  it  to  myself,  as  I  stand  up  before  you 
this  morning,  on  the  anniversary  of  my  settlement  as  your 
-pastor,  and,  after  five  years  of  earnest  and  prayerful  expostu- 
lation, find  so  many  of  you  yet  in  your  impenitence.  If  weep- 
ing would  effect  any  thing,  I  could  weep  over  you ;  if  tears 
had  in  them  power  to  move,  my  tears  could  flow  in  copious 
showers.  Like  the  prophet,  I  could  wish  to  weep  even  more 
than  nature  allows ;  exhausting  the  fountain  of  sympathy  in 
my  heart,  in  order  to  reach  yours,  and  subdue  their  enmity  to 
love.  There  is  in  the  condition  of  impenitent  men,  under 
tlie  means  of  grace,  everything  to  induce  such  feelings  in  the 
heart  of  a  faithful  pastor.  Let  us  consider  this  for  a  moment ; 
it  may  be  you  have  not  reflected  upon  it,  and  are  not  prepared 
to  accredit  what  we  avow  ;  and  therefore  the  appeals  which  we 
make  to  you  may  not  reach  that  place  in  your  heart  in  which 
we  would  fain  lodge  them.  They  are  more  intimately  con- 
nected with  your  eternal  state  than  you  imagine. 

The  ministry  of  reconciliation  is  the  only  instrument  which 
grace  in  its  deep  compassion  has  determined  to  employ  for 
the  salvation  of  sinners — and  it  is  a  sufficient  instrumentality. 
A  faithful  ministry  makes  constant  appeals  to  the  understand- 
ing and  the  heart,  to  convince  the  one  of  sin  and  win  the  other 
to  God.  No  one  can  attend  such  a  ministry,  and  remain  in  a 
state  of  impenitency,  without  making  constant  opposition  to  his 
convictions  of  right  and  to  the  dictates  of  his  conscience.  The 
process  which  is  going  on  necessarily,  in  the  mind  of  every 
impenitent  man  under  the  Gospel,  is  a  hardening  process.  In 
awakening  appeals  which  every  Sabbath  are  sounded  from  the 
sacred  oracles,  there  is  created  a  necessity  for  renewed  and  in- 


8  MEMORIAL   SERMONS. 

creasing  opposition,  if  he  refuse  to  hear  them  and  submit  to 
Grod.  Under  sncli  an  influence  it  is  impossible  to  remain  un- 
affected— the  heart  of  necessity  grows  harder,  and  the  mind 
becomes  more  insensible  to  the  interests  of  eternity  and  to  the 
salvation  of  the  soul.  Every  day  is  therefore  in  eflect  a  step 
backward  from  the  path  of  life,  and  renders  the  probability 
increasingly  certain  that  no  means  will  be  found  so  efficient, 
no  warnings  so  importunate,  no  expostulations  so  affecting,  as 
to  brins:  the  rebel  to  the  foot  of  the  cross  and  bow  his  stub- 
born  neck  to  Christ. 

Estimate  now,  if  you  can  sufficiently,  the  demerit  of  such  a 
state.  All  sin  is  a  gi-eat  evii  in  tlie  sight  of  God  ;  but  impeni- 
tence is  a  dreadful  and  aggravated  evil.  Its  character  is  hate- 
ful and  its  consequences  are  most  appalling.  It  not  only  turns 
our  hearts  awa}^  from  God,  but  it  makes  him  our  enemy.  "  It 
is  an  evil  and  a  bitter  thing  (says  the  prophet)  that  thou  hast 
forsaken  the  Lord  thy  God,  and  that  his  fear  is  not  in  thee." 
It  produces  a  blind  insensibility  to  all  the  mercy  and  compas- 
sion of  God,  and  leads  us  to  disregard  his  vengeance  and  to 
dare  his  Avrath.  It  obscures  the  understanding  so  that  we  can 
not  see  our  true  interest,  and  hardens  the  heart  so  that  we  can 
not  estimate  the  danger  of  our  position  and  our  relation  to 
eternal  things.  It  has  an  infatuating  power  which  produces 
blindness  and  leads  us  to  call  evil  good,  and  good  evil,  and 
waste  upon  the  pleasures  of  sense  and  the  vanities  of  time  the 
treasures  of  immortal  glory. 

Impenitence  is  opposed  to  the  character  of  God,  and  the 
claims  of  his  righteous  law.  It  contravenes  directly  his  right 
in  us  and  the  authority  whicli  he  claims  to  rule  over  us.  It 
can  not  exist  in  any  of  his  creatures  without  obligations  of  the 
utmost  moment,  in  the  moral  government  of  the  world,  being 
violated,  and  claims  the  most  affecting  and  tender  being  dis- 
regarded. 

Impenitence  makes  the  cliaracter  of  man  as  a  creature  of 
God  hateful  in  the  sight  of  his  Maker  by  making  him  a  de- 
spiser  of  his  goodness  and  long  suffering.  There  are  no  cir- 
cumstances possible  which  can  so  mitigate  its  evil  or  extenu- 
ate its  ingratitude  as  to  deprive  it  of  this  hateful  feature,  or 
prevent  this  fearful  result.     Hence  he  can  not  away  with  it. 


MEMORIAL   SERMONS.  f) 

Hence  his  deteriniiiatloii  to  punish  it;  because  if  it  were  sut- 
fered  to  continue  in  this  his  moral  empire,  it  would  not  only 
destroy  his  right  to  reign  as  a  sovereign,  but  absolutely  endan- 
ger the  health  of  all  his  creatures.  To  refrain  from  punish- 
ing it  would  be  to  abandon  his  cherished  purpose,  forego 
the  most  solemn  declarations  of  his  truth,  and  prove  unfaitli- 
ful  to  himself  where  both  his  authority  and  our  dearest  inter- 
ests were  involved.  Hence  there  are  so  many  threatenings  of 
wrath,  so  many  warnings,  so  many  assurances  that  the  sin- 
ner shall  certainly  die,  and  that  all  the  impenitent  shall  per- 
ish forever  from  his  presence  in  the  burnings  of  his  indigna- 
tion. "  The  wages  of  sin  is  death."  The  sinner,  though  an 
hundred  years  old,  shall  die.  "  God  shall  cast  the  fury  of  his 
wrath  upon  the  wicked  and  rain  it  upon  them." 

The  Gospel  furnishes  to  an  apostate  world  the  only  means 
of  escape  from  the  consequences  of  impenitence,  which  grace 
has  been  enabled  to  devise,  and  in  which  God  can  be  just  and 
the  sinner  obtain  salvation.  In  the  Gospel,  the  character  and 
work  of  Jesus  Christ  are  clearly  exhibited,  and  all  suitable 
promises  of  encouragement  presented,  to  persuade  us  to  em- 
brace his  righteousness  by  faith,  and  live ;  while  in  its  moral 
influence  we  have  the  most  effectual  means  to  overcome  the 
enmity  of  our  hearts  and  the  pride  of  our  unbelief.  Through 
the  enlightening  and  sanctifying  influences  of  the  Holy  Ghost, 
it  is  "  the  power  of  God  and  the  wisdom  of  God  "  to  renew 
the  heart  and  cleanse  the  soul  from  sin.  If  this  great  instru- 
ment fails  and  these  means  prove  ineflicient,  there  remains  to  a 
sinner  no  more  hope  ;  for  there  is  no  other  sacrifice  for  sin, 
no  other  ]iame  by  which  we  can  be  saved,  no  other  instrument 
to  awaken  us  to  life. 

This  tlie  faithful  pastor  knows,  knows  it  well.  He  has  a 
double  evidence  of  this  soleuni  truth.  He  has  the  determina- 
tion of  God  as  expressed  in  liis  word,  and  a  consciousness  re- 
sulting clearly  from  the  work  of  grace  in  his  own  heart.  He 
has  seen  God's  truth  fructifying  in  the  humble  and  contrite 
lieart,  and  producing  a  meetness  for  heaven.  He  has  witness- 
ed, too,  how  upon  the  impenitent  it  produces  hardness  and 
blindness,  and  how,  the  savor  of  it  being  lost,  it  works  deatli. 
If  he  be   a  true  Christian,  he  has,  besides  this,  experienced 


10  MEMORIAL  SERMONS. 

in  his  own  soul  tlie  terrors  of  the  wrath  of  God,  and  felt  the 
fearful  dread  of  his  indignation  against  sin.  When  he  pleads 
with  men,  he  speaks,  consequently,  with  all  the  earnest  impor- 
tunity of  i*eal  conviction,  and  with  all  the  persuasive  elo- 
quence inspired  by  a  sense  of  the  danger  which  he  sees ;  de- 
claring what  lie  hath  seen,  and  urging  what  he  hath  known  in 
]iis  own  experience. 

In  many  cases,  moreover,  he  feels  a  peculiar  interest.  For 
some  he  is  conscious  of  strong  affection,  for  he  is  dealing  with 
those  whom  he  loves;  in  others  a  yearning  tenderness,  for  he 
is  pleading  Avith  those  for  whom  he  would  willingly  im])art 
not  the  Gospel  only  but  his  own  soul  also  to  bring  tliem  to 
Christ.  "What  affecting  associations  at  the  same  time  urge  him 
on  in  his  work,  and  point  tlie  language  in  which  he  addresses 
them !  He  has  seen  them  in  affliction — he  has  sought  to 
comfort  them  in  their  sorrows.  He  has  stood  by  their  sick-bed 
to  warn — ^by  their  death-bed  to  entreat.  He  has  met  them  in 
the  path  of  pleasure  as  a  faithful  mentor,  and  in  the  vale  of  sor- 
row as  a  tender,  sympathizing  friend.  He  has  borne  them  on 
the  arms  of  faith  and  prayer,  in  his  retirement,  at  the  throne 
of  grace,  and  with  many  strong  cries  and  teare  sought  to  bring 
down  the  blessing  of  God  upon  their  souls.  For  many  long- 
years  he  has  followed  them,  and  endeavored  to  impress  their 
minds  with  a  sense  of  sin,  and  win  their  hearts  to  holiness. 
But  all  seems  to  be  in  vain.  Every  means  which  he  has  con- 
trived, every  instrument  which  he  has  adopted,  fails.  All  the 
avenues  to  their  heart  appear  to  be  closed,  and  insensibility 
grows  more  insensible — impenitence  more  impenitent.  Yeai*s 
roll  on — death  approaches — judgment  draws  near,  and  the  day 
of  grace  is  just  ended !  What  is  he  to  do  ?  He  knows  they 
must  die;  he  knows  just  as  well  that  they  are  not  prepared  to 
die.  Shall  he  abandon  them?  shall  he  throw  off  from  his 
mind  and  heart  all  interest  in  their  welfare  ?  How  can  lie  do 
this  ?  They  are  associated  with  all  his  recollections  of  tlio 
past.  Their  name  rises  up  in  all  the  solemn  scenes  of  his  life, 
and  their  image  is  entwined  with  the  tenderest  feelings  of  liis 
heart.  He  must  therefore  be  sad,  very  sad,  when  thinking  of 
tlieir  end  ;  and  many  gloomy,  very  gloomy  anticipations  must 
crowd  upon  his  mind  as  he  follows  them  to  the  conclusion  of 


MEMORIAL   SERMONS.  11 

their  course.  lie  expects  to  stand  by  tlieir  deatli-bed,  wlien 
tlio  hand  of  the  destroyer  is  npon  them,  and  the  swellings  of 
flordan  come  into  their  souls  :  and  he  knows  that  that  last 
druggie  must  be  a  fearful  one — that  that  last  hour  must  be 
Avitliout  hope.  Can  he  then  cease  to  feel  for  them,  to  warn 
them,  to  pray  for  them?  Ah  no!  no!  Like  the  prophet  he 
will  weep  in  secret,  and  complain  that  the  fountain  of  his 
emotion  is  dried  up.  lie  knows  too  well  the  whole  of  their 
dreadful  condition,  and  sees  but  too  certainly  the  whole  terror 
of  their  fearful  doom.  If  his  head  were  waters  and  his  eyes 
a  fountain  of  tears,  he  would  weep  daj"  and  night  for  the  slain 
of  the  daughter  of  his  people. 

This  is  one  application  of  the  sentiment  in  our  text.  It  is 
almost  literally  that  of  the  Prophet  himself.  He  saw  a  tem- 
poral ruin  coming  upon  his  friends  and  fellow-citizens.  We 
have  described  the  spiritual  and  eternal  ruin  which  awaits  the 
impenitent.  This  is  as  certain  as  that  which  he  foresaw,  and 
infinitely  more  awful  in  its  consequences.  If  the  vision  of 
the  former  tilled  his  mind  with  dreadful  forebodings  and  drew 
a  flood  of  tears  from  his  eyes,  how  much  more  must  the  latter 
overwhelm  an  aflectionate  Pastor  with  sorrow !  O  impeni- 
tent man!  you  do  not  know  how  much  prayer  and  kindness  it 
becomes  necessary  for  you  to  oppose  and  prevent  in  order  to 
hold  on  your  guilty  course.  You  do  not  know  how  much  you 
grieve  the  heart  of  your  friend.  How  affectionately  desirous 
he  is  of  your  peace ;  and  how  truly  he  can  say  with  Paul,  "  We 
are  w^illing,  not  only  to  impart  unto  you  the  Gospel  of  God, 
but  our  own  souls  also,  because  ye  are  dear  to  us  !"  Oh !  when 
will  you  be  wise,  and  cease  to  grieve  his  heart,  and  the  heart  of 
that  aflfectionate  Saviour,  who  once  died  for  you  on  the  cross, 
and  still  pleads  for  you  in  heaven  ? 

Need  I  pause  to  tell  you  personally  to-day  how  much  I  de- 
sire your  peace  ?  Need  I  remind  you  that  I  have  been  seeking 
it  earnestly  for  five  years  ?  Shall  I  call  to  your  remembrance 
all  the  prayers  sent  up  to  heaven  in  your  behalf,  which  you 
have  prevented;  all  the  warnings,  urged  witli  importunity, 
which  you  have  disregarded;  all  the  expostulations,  earnest 
and  repeated,  whicli  you  have  set  at  naught?  May  I  not  ask 
vou,  isit  nothing  tliat  all  this  has  been  in  vain?     Are  there 


12  MEMORIAL  SERMONS. 

110  forebodings  in  it?  Does  it  give  no  evidence  of  a  moral 
state,  or  a  coming  retribution  ?  Five  years  of  earnest  eifort 
to  save  you,  but  in  vain  !  Then  you  liave  iive  years  of  neglect- 
ed gospel  privilege  to  answer  for,  and  I  charge  you  to  look  to 
it ;  for  your  eternal  interests  are  involved  in  the  answer  you 
will  give  to  God  when  you  stand  in  judgment. 

II.  Anotlier  illustration  is  furnished  in  the  feelings  which 
grow  up  between  Christian  friends.  Suppose  the  existence  of 
strong  bonds  of  affection  between  two  individuals.  Such  en- 
dearments are  often  formed  to  cheer  and  bless  this  scene  of 
misery  through  which  we  are  passing  in  our  earthly  pilgrim- 
age. They  may  have  resulted  from  habitual  intercourse  and 
many  acts  of  reciprocated  kindness.  They  may  be  the  effect 
of  f  amih''  alliance  leading  to  intimacy  and  the  appreciation  of 
mutual  good  qualities,  as  in  the  instance  of  David  and  Jona- 
than. Or  perhaps  they  result  from  similarity  of  sentiment 
and  taste — from  kindred  feelings  and  attractive  accomplish- 
ments. Love  may  have  endeared  the  sacred  bond,  an  antici- 
pation have  desired  and  agreed  that  it  should  be  cemented  and 
consecrated  at  the  matrimonial  altar.  The  two  hearts  are  now 
perfectly  united  in  sentiment  and  feeling,  in  taste  and  desire ; 
but  there  is  one  subject  where  their  views  separate,  and  they 
have  nothing  in  common.  The  one  is  a  follower  of  the  Lamb 
— the  other  rejects  Christ  and  his  Gospel.  The  one  sees  a 
beauty  in  Christ  and  loves  him  ;  the  other  is  more  than  indif- 
ferent, he  tramples  him  under  his  feet.  The  one  experiences 
all  the  power  of  faith  and  hope,  and  tastes  all  the  sweetness 
of  communion  with  God  ;  the  other  knows  only  the  pleasures 
of  sense,  and  is  moved  alone  by  the  fascinations  of  the  world. 
They  are  one_in  all  things,  except  that  which  is  the  most  im- 
portant to  be  agreed  in,  because  it  is  capable  of  exciting  the 
strongest  feelings,  and  really  has  the  largest  share  in  forming 
character  and  shaping  our  destiny.  Here  they  are  obliged  to 
separate.  Here  there  is  no  common  bond  of  sympathy;  and 
they  are  mutnally  afraid  to  touch  the  tender  chord  lest  its  vi- 
brations should  produce  discord — perhaps  even  excite  feelings 
of  dislike.  Is  all  this  nothing  to  their  happiness  ?  It  is ; 
for  how  can  the  voice  of  affection  and  conscience  be  silenced, 
the  thoughts  of  eternity  be  prevented? 


MEMORIAL   SERMOXS.  13 

In  this  state  of  tliln'gs,  tlierefore,  how  will  the  Christian  be 
affected  ?  lie  knows  the  importance  of  the  grand  reality  ;  hnt 
how  shall  he  commnnicate  his  sense  of  it  ?  He  is  deeply  con- 
vinced of  its  value  in  every  point  of  view,  and  for  every  pur- 
pose of  life,  now  as  well  as  hereafter ;  but  how  shall  he  impart 
his  convictions,  and  persuade  hh  friend  to  entertain  the  same 
sentiments?  Can  he  prevent  his  thoughts  from  wandering  to 
death  and  judgment ;  or  his  imagination  from  picturing  the 
awful  condition  of  tliat  very  friend^  Avhen  the  soul  is  lost ;  or 
fail  to  feel  the  anguish  of  a  separation  forever  ?  Think  of 
all  his  love — how  often  he  has  borne  that  friend  on  the  arms 
of  prayer  to  the  mercy-seat,  how  many  contrivances  he  has 
adopted  to  win  his  heart  from  sin  and  bring  him  to  Christ, 
how  closely  he  is  bound  to  him,  and  how  many  ties  must  be 
broken  in  a  final  separation. 

Is  there  nothing  now  in  such  a  scene  as  we  have  painted  \ 
Will  it  not  naturally  engender  the  greatest  anxiety,  and  pro- 
duce the  strongest  yearnings  of  heart — anxieties  and  yearn 
iugs  proportioned  to  the  blessings  to  be  secured  and  the  evils 
avoided  ?  It  is  not  a  mere  temporal  good  which  is  souglit ; 
but  an  interest  in  the  grace  of  God.  The  pearl  is  the  pearl  of 
great  price;  and  no  earthly  treasure  has  ever  been  desired 
more  ardently  than  Christian  love  hath  often  sought  to  enricli 
the  object  of  its  affection  with  that  priceless  gem,  or  than  it 
has  striven  to  turn  away  the  wrath  of  God  from  him  who  is 
d  earto  it.  Tears  have  been  copiously  shed  ;  and  oh  !  how  man  \' 
ardent  prayers  have  ascended  to  heaven  !  Think  of  it !  How 
can  we  suffer  a  friend  whom  we  love  to  go  down  to  destruc- 
tion without  efforts  to  save  him  ?  How  can  we  day  by  day  see 
his  onward  course  and  not  attempt  to  draw  him  back  ?  How 
can  we  realize  the  wretchedness  of  his  condition,  and  his  hope- 
less end,  without  feeling  impelled  'by  the  interest  which  he 
has  in  our  hearts,  to  endeavor  to  arrest  his  career,  and  turn  his 
feet  from  death  ?  Ah  !  yes  indeed  !  Many  a  tender  Christian 
heart  hath  wept  in  secret  bitter  tears — many  a  friend  impor- 
tuned Heaven  to  have  mercy  upon  and  spare  his  friend. 
Many  a  pious  wife  or  daughter  pleaded  long  and  earnestly  for 
husband  or  father ;  and  even  sorrowed  like  the  Prophet,  after 
the  fountain  of  lier  tears  was  dry,  that  she  could  not  weep  on 


14  MEMORIAL   SERMONS. 

and  make  tliem  flow  night  and  day.  If  tears  and  prayers 
could  save  souls,  tears  would  flow  and  prayers  ascend  perpetu- 
ally to  accomplisli  that  end  ;  hut  they  will  not  always  succeed. 
Impenitence  is  proof  even  against  the  power  of  the  heart;  and 
who  can  tell  the  anguish  experienced  Mdien  hope  is  lost  and 
despair  throws  its  dark  mantle  over  such  a  loving  spirit  ? 

Oh  !  that  the  impenitent  knew  how  much  they  always  resist 
to  continue  in  their  sin  !  The  church  prays  for  them,  their 
Christian  friends  pray  for  them,  and  their  associates  and  bosom 
companions  in  secret  weep  over  their  condition,  and  by  strong 
cries  and  tears  seek  to  move  Heaven  to  save  them  from  perdi- 
tion. Oh!  that  the  impenitent  knew  what  anguish  of  heart 
their  ungodly  course  causes  those  who  love  them  to  suffer  • 
Yes,  and  there  are  some  of  you  who  do  know  this,  but  it  does 
not  move  you.  Your  nature  is  so  perverted — your  heart  so 
hard,  you  love  your  idols  so  well — that  after  them  you  will 
go,  even  though  friends  and  lovers  should  weep  ever  so  much. 
Let  me  tell  you,  however,  that  you  are  sinning  against  your 
own  souls  as  much  as  you  are  sinning  against  affection  ;  and 
that  the  bitterest  dreg  in  your  cup  of  trembling  will  be  the 
thought  of  what  you  have  done  all  your  life,  in  resisting  so 
stoutly  the  kindness  of  Christian  affection. 

Is  it  necessary  now  to  remind  you.  Christian  brethren,  that 
I  stand  related  to  each  one  of  you  individually  as  a  friend  ; 
that  I  experience  all  the  solicitudes  of  that  relation  ;  that  all 
the  earnest  importunity  that  love  has  ever  engendered  in  the 
heart  and  employed  in  prayer,  has  been  employed  for  you — 
employed  for  these  five  long  years  ;  and  that  all  the  bitterness 
of  disappointment  mingles  in  the  cup  which  you  commend 
necessarily  to  my  lips,  by  your  remaining  in  sin  ?  l^eed  I  ap- 
peal to  you  on  this  ground,  and  remind  you,  as  the  apostle  did 
his  Philippian  converts,  that  "  I  have  you  in  my  heart  V  that 
I  liave  been  willing  to  impart  to  you  all  the  treasures  -whiijli 
grace  has  laid  up  for  us  in  Christ  ?  If  kindness  could  have 
won  you,  it  must  have  done  so  before  to-day ;  or  if  importu- 
nity had  power  to  overcome  your  disinclinations  to  holiness,  it 
must  have  brought  you  to  the  feet  of  the  Redeemer.  Alas ! 
that  it  has  not ;  and  that  the  close  of  a  cycle  of  years  finds 
you  yet  in  the  attitude  of  an  opposer  to  Christ's  authority,  and 


MEMORIAL   SERMONS.  15 

a  rejector  of  liis  niercj'.  Will  you  continue  so  until  you 
die? 

Ill,  We  may  suggest  another  application  of  the  sentiment 
in  our  text.  Tlie  anguish  of  parental  bosoms  when  their  in- 
structions, prayers,  warnings,  and  expostulations  all  prove 
vain.  Many  a  bleeding  heart  has  felt  the  import  of  the  pro- 
phet's language.  Oh  !  that  my  head  were  waters,  and  my  eyes  a 
fountain  of  tears,  that  I  might  %veep  day  and  night  for  the 
slain  of  the  daughter  of  my  people  ! 

Among  the  interesting  relations  which  are  formed  by  that 
ordinance  of  heaven  which  has  "  placed  man  in  families  upon 
the  earth,"  none  is  more  sacred — none  is  stronger,  than  that 
which  exists  between  parents  and  children.  On  the  one  hand 
there  is  all  the  instinctive  love  of  a  father  or  mother  for  their 
offspring,  strengthened  by  the  care  which  it  has  rendered  neces- 
sary and  the  kindness  which  it  has  prompted.  On  the  other 
there  is  all  the  gratitude  which  a  consciousness  of  these  expres- 
sions of  love  originates.  ]N^o  ties  can  be  more  sacred  than 
these,  and  no  relation  involves  more  feelings  that  are  natural- 
ly calculated  to  awaken  sentiments  of  interest  and  kindness. 
A  parent  experiences  pleasure  in  seeking  the  welfare  of  his 
child  in  all  possible  Avays.  lie  subjects  himself  to  toil  and  la- 
bor, to  lay  up  for  him  a  store  of  good  things  for  the  present 
life.  He  denies  himself  many  gratifications  which  he  furnish- 
es willingly  to  him ;  and  in  doing  so  he  regards  not  the  self- 
denial — he  does  not  even  count  it  a  sacrifice  ;  for  he  finds  sat- 
isfaction in  it — so  deeply  solicitous  is  he  to  advance  the  inte- 
rests and  secure  the  welfare  of  those  he  loves.  If  he  could  be- 
stow a  thousand  times  more,  and  deny  himself  a  thousand 
times  oftener,  he  would  not  grudge  it,  could  he  only  shower 
down  all  upon  the  object  of  his  affectionate  solicitude. 

Such  is  parental  affection — so  deep — so  self-denying — always 
so  full  of  anxious  concern — always  so  ready  to  make  sacrifices. 
It  is  a  noble,  a  heaven-derived  endowment.  In  it  God's  wis- 
dom and  his  mercy  to  his  creatures  are  both  displayed.  How 
much  the  world  is  benefited  by  it ! 

But  the  affection  of  a  Christian  parent,  what  is  it?  Has  it  not 
the  same  deej)  and  instinctive  feelings  ?  Has  it  not  all  of  these 
ennobled^  consecrated^  and  directed  to  higher  ends  ?     Does  he 


16  MEMORIAL   SERMONS. 

not  as  a  Christian  necessarily  experience  a  strong  desire  that  his 
chiklren  shonld  enjoy  the  liopes  of  religion,  and  be  brought  un- 
der the  a?g'is  of  its  protecting  power  ?  He  knows  how  much  it 
will  benefit  them,  for  he  has  himself  tasted  of  its  fruits  in  his 
own  pilgrimage.  He  is  sensible  how  much  the  heart  of  man 
needs  such  a  kind  hand  to  soothe  its  anguish  in  the  hour  of 
trial  ;  for  he  has  himself  been  pelted  by  adverse  storms.  He 
is  conscious,  from  his  own  errors,  that  nothing  can  so  effectu- 
ally guard  in  temptation — guide  in  perplexity — and  restrain 
when  corrupt  desires  importune,  as'tliat  blessed  monitor.  He 
has  tasted  the  bitterness  of  sin — has  trembled  before  the  aw- 
ful judgment-seat — has  gone  down  into  "  the  valley  of  Baca, 
weeping,"  and  saw  no  "  springs  of  water"  there — and  knows 
well  that  there  is  no  hope  but  in  the  consolations  Avhich  the 
Gospel  of  Jesus  Christ  imparts.  His  knowledge  and  experience 
both  confirm  the  declarations  of  divine  Revelation,  and  con- 
vince him  that  nothing  but  its  influence,  in  converting  the  soul 
and  sanctifying  the  heart,  can  make  salvation  sure. 

The  depth  and  orce  of  these  convictions  may  be  shown  from 
several  circumstances.  You  may  consider  the  motive  of  those 
careful  instructions  in  the  doctrines  and  duties  of  religion. 
What  was  it  but  the  manifestation  of  a  desire  on  the  parent's 
part  to  bring  his  child  acquainted  with  its  power  ?  You  may 
consider  the  motive  of  Jiis  example^  walking  carefully  before  his 
house — what  was  it  but  that  he  might  be  a  guide  to  one  w'hom 
he  knew  to  be  prone  to  err  and  hard  to  be  convinced  ?  You 
may  listen  to  his  ijraye7^s  ;  and  if  you  do  so,  you  will  clearly 
perceive  how  affection  deepens  their  tone  of  earnestness  and 
kindles  an  ardent  flame  of  his  devotion  as  soon  as  his  little 
ones  engage  his  heart,  and  he  begins  to  plead  in  their  behalf. 

But  suppose  now,  that  Christian  parent  called  in  providence 
to  witness  the  infatuated  course  of  a  prodigal — all  his  in- 
structions despised — all  his  affectionate  counsel  disregarded — 
all  his  prayers  and  pleadings  in  vain  !  Sin,  the  monster  sin, 
proving  too  strong  for  all  the  barriers  which  he  has  opposed  to  its 
power  ;  and  like  a  victorious  conqueror  capturing  one  after  an- 
other the  defenses  set  to  protect  the  citadel  of  the  heart  against 
its  assaults.  That  beloved  child  who  Avas  trained  so  carefully 
for  lieaven,  going  forward  in  the  forbidden  way  until  his  feet 


MEMORIAL   SERMONS,  17 

take  hold  on  liell.  Wliat  are  his  feelings  now  ?  Is  any  pen 
adequate  to  describe  the  bitterness  of  his  heart,  or  paint  the  an- 
guish of  his  bosom  ?  Ah!  it  is  horrible  !  There  is  a  sense  of 
disappointment,  a  feeling  of  indignation,  and  a  sentiment  of 
abhorrence  and  disapprobation,  all  mingling  their  bitter  dregs 
in  the  cnp  which  is  presented  to  his  lips,  and  which  he  is  forced 
to  drink,  which  almost  dries  np  his  spirit.  So  many  fond  an- 
ticipations are  blasted,  and  so  much  enjoyment  prevented,  that 
he  can  not  cease.  Tears  are  shed,  and  bitter  tears,  as  often  as 
he  remembers  the  lost  one.  lie  almost  feels,  sometimes,  as  if 
he  could  have  given  his  life's  blood,  if  it  would  have  redeemed 
that  child  from  ruin.  He  never  goes  to  a  throne  of  grace  but 
lie  remembers  him  there.  He  never  bows  himself  in  confes- 
sion before  God,  but  the  bitterness  of  his  sorrow  is  brought  to 
remembrance.  The  slain  idol  of  his  affections — the  cherished 
jewel  of  his  fond  desires — how  can  he  forget  him?  "How 
shall  I  give  thee  up,  Ephraim  ?"  is  his  constant  cry  !  "  Oh  ! 
that  Ishmael  my  son  might  live  before  thee" — his  daily  prayer 
— and  often  the  anguish  of  his  sj)irit  breathes  itself  forth  in  the 
language  of  David,  "  O  my  son  Absalom,  my  son,  my  son 
Absalom  !  would  God  I  had  died  for  thee,  O  Absalom,  my  son, 
my  son  !"  "  Oh !  that  my  head  were  waters,  and  my  eyes  a  foun- 
tain of  tears,  that  I  might  weep  day  and  niglit  for  the  slain  of 
the  daughter  of  my  people." 

And  istliere  not,  in  the  relation  of  pastor  and  people,  evenj 
^A?;?.^  that  gives  force  and  tenderness  to  that  of  a  parent  and  his 
offspring  ?  What  then,  I  ask  you,  are  my  feelings  to-day,  in 
being  obliged,  after  five  years  of  patient  toil,  to  see  you  yet  Avith- 
out  an  interest  in  Christ  ?  Some  of  you  may  conceive  of  them 
from  experience.  Perhaps  your  prodigal  has  wandered  from 
the  shadow  of  your  roof,  and  spent  all  his  substance  in  riotous 
living — ^perhaps  your  son  has  boon  blind  to  the  obligations  of 
duty,  and  the  instincts  of  self-preservation,  and  lived  in  sin  un- 
der a  plenitude  of  gospel  light  and  influence.  Perhaps  you 
liave  often  sought  to  M'in  him,  but  in  vain  ;  and  now  can  only 
yearn  and  yearn,  even  though  hope  seems  denied.  Ah  Christian 
parent !  you  know  the  feelings  of  our  heart.  You  can  tell  what 
a  weight  lies  upon  it  to-day — and  why  it  is,  that  we  endeavor 
to  give  utterance  to  its  deep  emotions  in  the  prophet's  words. 


18  MEMORIAL  SERMONS. 

"  Oil !  tliat  my  head  were  waters,  and  mine  eyes  a  fountain  of 
tears,  that  I  might  weep  day  and  night  for  the  slain  of  the 
daughter  of  my  people." 

Application. — Let  ns  now  for  a  moment  consider  what  mo- 
tives the  snbject  presents  to  the  impenitent  to  turn  from  sin. 
We  do  not  at  the  present  time  "  reason  with  you  of  righteous- 
ness, temperance,  and  a  judgment  to  come ;"  we  do  not  seek  to 
move  you  by  the  love  of  Jesus  Christ,  or  the  grace  of  the  Holy 
Spirit ;  we  do  not  entreat  you  by  the  worth  of  your  souls  or 
the  joys  of  heaven  ;  nor  warn  you  to  beware,  for  there  is 
wrath.  All  this  has  often  been  done  ;  and  alas !  with  many  it 
has  been  in  vain  ! 

"We  seek  to-day  an  avenue  to  your  hearts  less  trodden,  and 
we  hope,  on  that  account,  more  sure  of  success.  Perhaps  your 
feelings  have  become  jaded  by  the  frequency  with  which  ap- 
peals have  been  made  to  them — Gospel-ridden  and  grace-har- 
dened, you  have  ceased  to  feel  tlie  force  of  religious  obligations. 
We  tell  you  then  to-day  how  much  your  pastor  loves  you — how 
often  he  prays  for  you — what  distress  of  mind  your  continued 
impenitence  causes  him.  Do  you  love  him  ?  Are  you  sensible 
that  he  is  your  friend,  and  that  he  is  seeking  to  do  you  good  I 
Oh !  grieve  no  more  his  aifectionate  heart  !  Give  him  no  more 
cause  to  cry  unto  God,  "  O  that  my  head  were  waters,  and 
my  eyes  a  fountain  of  tears,  that  I  might  weep  day  and  night 
for  the  slain  of  the  daughter  of  my  people."  He  can  have  no 
rest  while  you  live  in  sin.  He  can,  as  a  minister  of  Christ, 
know  no  comfort  but  in  seeing  your  joys  abound  and  your 
hearts  melting  for  the  beatitudes  of  heaven. 

We  come  also  to  tell  you  how  your  Christian  friends  and 
companions  feel,  when  they  see  you  rejecting  the  only  Saviour 
and  madly  following  after  ruin.  How  they  regret  that  amid 
all  the  bliss  of  communion,  and  the  pleasure  arising  from  asso- 
ciation of  friend  with  friend  in  heaven,  they  can  not  anticipate 
the  joy  of  seeing  you  there.  That  their  hearts  now  yearn  over 
you,  and  ceaseless  prayers  ascend  to  heaven  in  your  behalf : 
and  to  ask  you  whether  all  this  tenderness,  solicitude,  and  affec- 
tion is  to  be  in  vain  ?  and  shall  it  indeed  be  in  vain  ? 

We  come  to  call  up  to  your  remembrance  the  tears  and 
prayers  of  that  parent  who  is  perhaps  now  in  heaven,  looking 


MEMORIAL   SERMONS.  19 

down  from  liis  serene  abode,  and  -watching  yonr  course — tliosc 
prayers  and  tears  Avliicli  yonr  welfare  prompted,  and  wliich 
your  impenitence  multiplied  ;  and  to  ask  you,  wlietlier  tliey 
are  to  be  in  vain.  To  remind  you  of  that  parental  instruction 
and  example,  under  the  influence  of  which  your  earliest  years 
were  blessed,  and  to  ask  you,  whether  you  are  going  to  forsake 
it  finally  and  render  it  all  abortive  ?  "We  come  to  claim  a  place 
in  your  hearts  to-day,  for  we  are  speaking  in  the  name  of  those 
who  have  the  best  right  to  speak  to  you,  and  to  ask  you  wheth- 
er you  have  forgotten  their  love,  and  mean  to  disappoint  their 
hopes,  disavow  their  counsels,  and  Avound  them  in  their  ten- 
derest  affections  ? 

Think  how  many  hearts  are  burning  to  sec  you  in  the  way 
of  life.  How  many  prayers  have  made  you  consecrate  to  God. 
How  many  affectionate,  how  many  solemn  motives  urge  you 
to-day  to  make  your  choice.  Five  years  of  warning  and  solici- 
tude, of  i^rayer  and  privilege,  is  no  small  account  to  answer 
for  to  God.  Shall  they  all  prove  vain  ?  Eternity  will  answer 
the  question,  though  you  do  not. 


THE  SECOND  MEMOEIAL  SERMON. 

Preached  Oct.  SOtii,  1843. 

THE    KEVIVALS    OF    RELIGION    IN    THE    CHURCH    OF    RARITAX. 

"  Remember  ye  not  tlie  former  tilings  ;  neitlier  consider  the  tilings  of 
old."— Isaiah  48  :  18. 

The  inquiry  of  the  Propliet  implies  astonisliment  that  any 
men  of  consideration  could  be  so  reckless  as  to  neglect  the  in- 
struction of  the  past ;  and  well  might  he  be  surprised.  "What 
is  our  experience  but  the  memory  of  former  things,  and  the 
judgment  of  reason  in  regard  to  them  ?  What  is  our  prudence 
but  avoiding  the  evils  of  the  present  as  we  have  learned  them 
in  former  days  ?  A  course  of  life  in  which  prudence  and  ex- 
perience should  both  be  neglected  would  be  sure  to  end  in 
disaster.  It  is  wise  therefore  always  to  remember  "  the  for- 
mer things"  and  "  consider  the  things  of  old."  When  it  is 
Y^ossible  for  us  to  do  so,  it  is  also  im23ortant  to  embody  it  in 
the  form  of  a  narrative,  that  its  lessons,  being  faithfully  and 
impressively  presented,  may  the  more  deeply  imj^ress  our 
minds  and  influence  our  hearts. 

History  therefore  has  by  the  general  sense  of  mankind  been 
considered  as  one  of  the  most  important  sources  of  knowledge. 
All  men  seem  to  be  aware  how  much  "  that  which  hath  been" 
is  "  that  which  shall  be,"  and  how  necessary  it  is  for  us  to 
know  it,  in  order  to  judge  right  and  live  to  advantage.  There 
is,  however,  a  moderation  to  be  observed  in  the  reverence  Mdiich 
we  attach  to  "  the  things  of  old,"  and  the  use  which  we  make 
of  their  teachings.  The  manner  in  which  it  is  sometimes 
spoken  of  would  almost  lead  us  to  infer,  that  it  was  regarded 
as  having  embodied  all  truth  and  righteousness ;  and  that  all 
wisdom  and  good  conduct  have  since  failed  from  the  earth ! 
Such  extravagance  is  unwise  and  mischievous.     It  arises  from 


MEMORIAL   SERMONS.  21 

tliat  indiscriminate  admiration,  in  wliicli  neitlier  reflection  nor 
jndgment  lias  been  exercised.  Lord  Bacon  seems  to  have 
stated  exactly  the  use  of  antiquity.  "  It  deserveth  that  reve- 
rence that  men  should  make  a  stand  thereupon,  and  discover 
wliat  is  the  best  way ;  but  when  the  discovery  is  well  takeu. 
then  to  make  progression."  It  is  good  as  a  Teacher,  but  not 
safe  or  proper  as  a  resting-place. 

On  the  other  hand,  to  disregard  entirely,  as  some  are  disposed 
to  do,  the  experience  of  the  past,  and  boldly  launch  out  into  the 
stormy  sea  of  life  without  a  chart  to  guide  us,  may  display  a 
venturous  spirit,  and  be  commended  as  such  ;  but  certainly  it 
is  not  a  mark  of  prudence  or  of  wisdom.  Says  Burke,  "  "When 
ancient  opinions  and  rules  of  life  are  taken  away,  the  loss  can 
not  possibly  be  estimated.  From  that  moment  we  have  no 
compass  to  govern  us,  nor  can  we  know  distinctly  to  what 
])oint  we  steer."  This  is  true :  and  the  wisest  and  best  men 
luive  been  those  who  were  neitlier  slavish  in  their  reverence  of 
the  past  and  their  subjection  to  it,  nor  heedless  of  the  many 
lessons  which  it  teaches ;  not  unwisely  trammeled  by  it,  nor 
yet  so  self-confident  as  to  rush  forward  without  its  guiding 
Avisdom  and  instruction  in  the  conduct  of  life.  It  deserves  to 
be  well  considered,  but  not  "  rested  in."  Bacon's  '"progres- 
sion" is  the  watchword  of  improvement,  and  by  listening  to 
it  the  world  has  arrived  at  her  present  stage  of  advanced  per- 
fection, in  almost  every  branch  of  human  wisdom — to  have 
rested  would  have  prevented  all. 

To-day  seems  to  be  a  point  from  which  it  may  be  proper  to 
take  a  retrospective  view  of  the  dealings  of  Divine  Providence 
with  us  as  a  people.  It  is  the  anniversary  of  the  tenth  year 
of  my  ministry  among  you  :  and  I  purpose  to  erect  an  Ebe- 
nezer  here  and  offer  a  sacrifice  of  thanksgiving.  God's  good- 
ness has  been  great,  and  should  be  recognized ;  and  the  poet 

tells  us 

"  'Tis  greatly  wise  to  talk  of  our  past  hours, 
And  ask  tliem  what  report  they  bore  to  heaven, 
And  how  they  might  have  borne  far  welcomer  news." 

There  is  inuch  in  the  past  that  will  be  "of  real  advantage  to 
us  by  way  of  encouragement  in  the  future.  In  reviewing  the 
history  of  this  church  only  in  one  particular — the  amount  of 

2 


22  MEMORIAL   SERMONS. 

spiritual  influence  wliicli  God  lias  deigned  to  besto-s^'  upon  ns, 
I  have  been  so  miicli  delighted,  as  to  indnce  me  to  arrange  the 
facts  in  their  order,  and  present  tliem  in  the  form  of  a  succinct 
narrative.  Adopting  the  recommendation  of  inspired  -wisdom, 
to  remember  the  former  things  and  consider  the  things  of  old, 
I  shall  present  tlie  history  of  those  spiritual  communications 
with  which  God  has  been  pleased  to  accompany  the  dispensa- 
tion of  the  word  and  ordinances  among  the  people  of  this 
conm-esation.  I  believe  there  are  but  few  churches  in  the  land 
that  have  records  so  full  of  the  manifestations  of  divine  good- 
ness, or  a  history  more  rich  in  evidences  of  divine  care. 

During  the  first  twenty  years  after  the  organization  of  this 
church — March  9th,  1699 — it  enjoyed  only  occasionally  the 
means  of  grace.  The  records  would  seem  to  indicate  that 
tivice,  or  sometimes  thrice,  in  the  course  of  the  year,  some 
preacher  visited  them,  and  then  children  were  baj)tized  and 
the  Lord's  Supper  administered.  From  such  a  scanty  seeding 
of  the  ground  no  adequate  crop  could  be  anticipated ;  and 
yet,  by  the  blessing  of  God,  the  church  did  increase,  at  least 
in  the  number  of  those  who  attended  on  the  means  of  grace 
and  aided  in  supporting  them,  until  in  process  of  time  it 
began  to  feel  strong.  About  171 S,  in  connection  with  New- 
Brunswick,  Six-Mile-Run,  and  North  Branch,*  the  church 
of  Raritan  ventured  upon  the  effort  to  call,  and  agreed  to 
provide  for  the  support  of  a  pastor.  The  important  docu- 
ment, after  having  been  duly  prepared,  was  dispatched  to 
Holland,  and  the  Classes  of  Amsterdam  was  expected  to  select 
the  pastor  and  send  him  out  by  their  authority  and  with  their 
recommendation.  It  was  an  anxious  tin\e  among  those  who 
loved  Zion  and  prayed  for  her  prosperity,  and  these  prayers 
were  happily  answered.  The  call  was  accepted  by  Theodorus 
Jacobus  Frelinghuysen,  and  he  arrived  in  Kew-York  in  Janu- 
arj'-,  1720.  As  early  as  February  he  assumed  the  duties  of 
liis  pastoral  relation,  embracing  in  the  wide  range  of  it 
almost  the  entire  county  of  Somerset  at  that  time  sparsely 
settled  and  almost  destitute  of  roads  and  bridges  and  other 
facilities  of  intercommunication. 

*  Now  called  Readinfrton, 


MEMORIAL   SERMONS.  23 

It  is  impossible  to  ascertain  accurately  wliat  was  tlie  state 
of  the  cliiirclies  at  the  time  when  Mr.  Frelinghuysen  as- 
sumed the  pastoral  charge  of  them.  Xo  record  remains,  if 
any  ever  existed,  of  those  who  had  been  admitted  into  its 
communion  previous  to  his  day.  There  occur,  however,  on  tlie 
list  of  baptisms  tlie  names  of  about  seventy  families  belong- 
ing to  the  congregation.  This  indicates  its  numerical  strength  ; 
and  there  had  been  three  hundred  and  eighty  children  and  two 
adults  baptized,  during  the  preceding  tM-enty-one  years.  There 
must  therefore  have  been  at  least  a  general  external  regard  to 
the  ordinances  of  God's  house  by  the  first  settlers  of  this  sec- 
tion of  our  State,  and  some  benefit  resulting  from  the  occasion- 
al services  which  they  had  enjoyed  under  all  the  disadvantages 
of  their  circumstances,  or  these  facts-  would  not  remain  as 
materials  of  historj^.  The  baptism  of  the  adults  proves  that  a 
church  existed,  preserving  order  and  providing  fur  the  admi- 
nistration of  sacraments  ;  and  that  the  preaching  of  the  Gospel 
Avas  blessed  to  the  conversion  of  some. 

But  although  the  records  of  the  church  arc  so  meagre,  we 
are  happily  furnished  with  testimony  from  another  source, 
wliich  will  not  be  disputed,  to  aid  us  in  forming  an  estimate 
of  the  spiritual  state  of  the  church,  though  not  immediately 
referring  to  it.  This  testimony  will  show  that  althougli  tliere 
might  be  an  external  observance  of  the  forms  and  the  sacra- 
ments of  the  Christian  religion,  yet  that  an  experience  of 
their  power  was  by  no  means  a  general  accompaniment  of 
such  observance.  There  must  have  been  a  great  want  o£ 
practical  and  serious  Christianity.  It  was  the  tViult  of  the  ag;e' 
and  the  natural  result  of  the  destitution  of  tlie  cliurch.  It 
was  the  common  fault  of  all  the  churches  at  that  tim.e-,  and 
was  true  not  only  of  Karitan  but  also  of  many  other  parts-  of 
the  country. 

Christianity,  as  it  is  revealed  in  the  Bible,  is  always  the 
same,  beautiful,  bright,  and  pure — an  emanation  of  divinity  ; 
but  as  it  exists  in  practical  life,  embodied  in*  the  faith  and 
conduct  of  different  nations,  communities,  and  ages,  it  exhil)its 
almost  an  infinite  variety  of  aspects  and  pliascs;  Some  of  tliem 
are  dark,  amounting  almost  to  a  total  extinction  of  its  light  and 
spirit,  Mhile  others  are  In'iglit  and  animwatdng,  displayii'.g  all  it^ 


24  MEMORIAL   SERMONS. 

excellencies  iu  prominent  relief  for  the  edification  of  mankind. 
It  lias  always  been  so,  and  will  continne  to  be  so  until  the  end 
of  time. 

The  age  succeeding  the  great  Reformation,  when  the  churches 
in  this  country  were  planted,  may  be  characterized  by  a  single 
word.  It  was  a  trcmsition  state.  It  retained  some  of  that 
firm  attachment  to  doctrine  and  purity  of  fiiith  which  had  dis- 
tinguished the  period  when  martyrs  shed  their  blood  freely  in 
attestation  of  the  truth ;  but,  by  association  with  the  spirit  of 
the  world,  in  days  of  prosperity  and  peace,  it  had  learned  to 
be  content  with  a  name  to  live,  and  rested  in  a  faith  without 
works.  Its  vital  piety  had  almost  ceased,  and  the  fruits  of 
godliness  were  stinted  and  scanty,  though  the  forms  and  doc- 
trines of  a  better  time  remained.  Emigrating  from  the  father- 
land, our  ancestors  left  behind  tlieni,  not  only  their  pleasant 
homes  on  the  vine-clad  hills  of  France  and  the  verdant 
meadows  of  the  Low  Countries,  but  also,  for  a  season  at  least,_ 
all  the  ennobling  influences  of  their  early  associations  and 
their  church  privileges.  In  this  wilderness  they  found  no 
Sabbath^ — no  "  sound  of  church-going  bell,"  and  no  minister 
of  Christ  to  instruct,  admonish,  and  lead  them  to  the  cross. 
As  a  necessary  consequence  of  such  destitution  their  children 
grew  up  almost  in  a  state  of  nature,  without  any  of  the  in- 
fluence of  those  teachings  and  associations  in  which  their 
fathers  had  been  nurtured.  AVhen  there  was  no  persecutor  to 
endear  by  his  violence  the  very  faith  he  sought  to  destroy, 
that  faitli  was  less  esteemed  and  had  less  power.  Their 
fathers'  example  and  prayers,  in  the  nature  of  things,  would 
not  be  entirely  lost  upon  them  ;  but  it  was  too  much  to  expect 
that  they  would  transmit  to  their  descendants  the  spirit  of  their 
piety,  or  that  the  children  would  become  what  they  would 
liave  been  if  the  sanctuary  and  the  Sabbath  had  lent  their 
aid  to  enforce  parental  precepts  and  example.  Hence  the 
natural  eflect  of  the  position  of  the  early  settlers  here  would 
be,  to  impart  to  them  a  veneration  for  their  fiithers'  faith,  but 
to  leave  them  without  the  savor  of  its  divine  influence.  !Now 
that  this  was  a  fact,  and  that  we  have  given  a  true  picture  of 
their  moral  condition,  is  proved  by  competent  witnesses,  bear- 
ino:  testimonv  of  others  in  the  same  circumstances.     Savsone, 


MEMOMAL   SERMONS.  25 

''The  difference  between  tlie  clmrcli  and  the  world  was  vanish- 
ing away,  church  discipline  was  neglected,  and  the  growing  lax- 
ness  of  morals  was  invading  the  church.  The  young  were  aban- 
doning themselves  to  frivolities  and  amusements  of  dangerous 
tendency;  and  party  spirit  was  producing  its  natural  frnit 
among  the  old.  The  progress  of  Arminianism  had  beconu' 
so  manifest  as  to  cause  alarm."  This  is  a  picture  of  the  Puri- 
tan churches  at  this  time,  and  there  can  be  but  little  question 
that  the  features  Avere  general,  and  applied  as  well  to  the 
state  of  things  in  New-Jersey  as  in  Connecticut  and  Massa- 
chusetts. 

We  produce  another.  Tlie  Ilcv.  Samuel  Blair,  one  of  the 
fathers  of  the  Presbyterian  church  in  America,  employs  the 
following  language  in  reference  to  the  state  of  the  churches  in 
Pennsylvania":  "  A  very  lamentable  ignorance  of  the  main 
essentials  of  true  practical  religion,  and  the  doctrines  nextly 
relating  thereto,  very  generally  prevailed.  The  nature  and 
necessity  of  the  new  birth  was  but  little  known  or  thought  of. 
The  necessity  of  a  conviction  of  sin  and  misery,  by  the  Holy 
Spirit  opening  and  applying  the  law  to  the  conscience,  in 
oi-der  to  a  saving  closure  with  Christ,  was  hardly  known  at  all, 
to  the  most.  There  was  scarcely  any  suspicion  at  all,  in  gene- 
ral, of  any  danger  of  depending  upon  self-righteousness^  and 
not  upon  the  righteousness  of  Christ  alone  for  salvation.'' 

But  we  havel;estimony  which  is  still  more  applicable.  We 
come  into  the  bounds  of  Mr.  Frelinghuysen's  very  charge 
itself  ;  and  we  hear  Gilbert  Tennant  saying  of  the  state  of  the 
church  in  Kew-Brunswick  in  1744,  a  little  before  the  time 
when  Mr.  Frelinghuysen's  labors  closed,  "  I  examined  many 
about  the  grounds  of  their  hope  of  salvation,  which  I  found 
in  most  to  be  nothing  but  as  sand."  He  is  speaking  of  his 
own  people,  and  not  of  those  who  had  been  converted  under 
Mr.  Frelinghuysen's  labors,  as  we  shall  show  presently  by 
another  extract  from  the  same  account. 

Now  this  was  the  aspect  of  the  field  which  was  to  be  culti- 
vated ;  at  least  its  moral  condition  could  not  have  been  more 
tavorable  than  those  of  which  we  have  given  testimony  ;  and 
if  we  consider  the  fact  that  for  more  than  thirty  years,  most  of 
the  inhabitants  of  this  section  of  the  country  had  been  living 


26  MEMORIAL   SERMONS. 

in  a  wilderness  without  the  Gospel,  ye  may  think  it  neces- 
sary to  regard  it  as  being  even  less  favorable  tlian  they  indi- 
cate ;  and  this  wonld  be  nearer  to  the  truth. 

Now  mark  the  effect.  Mr.  Frelinghuysen  commenced  by 
preaching  pointedly  and  seriously  the  necessity  of  a  new 
heart,  lie  insisted  on  Christian  experience  as  a  preparation 
for  church  membership  and  communion  ;  and  restored  disci- 
pline to  its  legitimate  place  in  the  house  of  God.  There  was 
immediately  clamor,  resistance,  reproach;*  but  he  was  not 
a  man  to  be  turned  away  from  a  course  which  he  considered 
it  his  duty  to  follow,  by  any  such  influences:  and  besides  the 
Holy  Spirit  had  already  begun  to  testify  to  the  truth  and  ren- 
der it  the  power  of  God  and  the  wisdom  of  God  to  the 
salvation  of  souls ;  how  could  he  refrain  from  j)reaching  it  'i 
As  early  as  1726,  when  there  were  probably  not  more  than 
twenty  members  in  communion  in  the  whole  congregation, 
and  only  six  years  from  the  time  of  his  first  settlement,  during 
all  of  which  opposition  and  defamation  had  been  rife,  there 
were  admitted  to  the  communion  seven  at  one  time  on  con- 
fession of  faith.  It  must  have  been  a  day  of  joy  to  his  heart, 
and  of  triumph  to  the  cause  of  truth.  It  was  indeed  a  great 
day.  Seven  added  to  twenty  is  equal  to  an  addition  of  forty 
in  a  church  composed  of  one  hundred  members ;  and  this 
would,  even  now,  be  regarded  as  an  extraordinary  work.    But  ^^ 

we  must  consider  that  this  was  the  fruit  of  his  work  try^^  mT 
RaHtaii.  Now  if  the  same  state  of  things  existed  at  Nortli- 
Braiich,  Six-Mile-Run,  and  New-Brunswick — and  that  it  did 
all  traditional  history  asserts — and  a  corresponding  number 
were  introduced  into  the  churches  in  each  of  these  congrega- 
tions, it  was  indeed  a  great  day  for  Zion.  But  it  did  not  end 
liere.  There  is  evidence  that  it  continued  in  subsequent  years. 
There  were  also  accessions  to  the  church  of  more  than  ordinary 
numbers  in  1729  and  1734. 

Jjut  the  greatest  blessing  seems  to  have  been  enjoyed  in 
1739,  simultaneous  with  the  revival  at  Northampton  under 

*  See  tlie  complaint  published  by  a  part  of  his  Consistory,  in  which  it  is 
^attempted  to  be  shown  that  his  doctrine  of  regeneration  is  not  the  doctrine  of 
the  CliurGli^r^ftud  exceptions  are  taken  to  his  whole  course,  especially  his 
discipline. 


MEMORIAL   SERMONS.  27 

Jonatlian  Edwards ;  and  between  tliese  two  revivals  in  other 
respects  there  was  a  striking  similarity.  They  both  originated 
in  pointed  doctrinal  discussions,  brought  on  a  conflict  between 
formalism  and  practical  Christianity,  and  stirred  up  some  of 
the  worst  passions  in  tlie  luiman  heart ;  but  while  Edwards 
was  ejected  from  his  charge,  Mr.  Frelinghuysen  not  only 
maintained  his  place  and  his  influence,  but  perpetuated  the 
work,  until,  finally,  in  the  days  of  his  successor.  Dr.  Ilarden- 
bergh,  even  the  hearts  of  his  enemies  were  conquered. 

The  eifect  of  this  state  of  things  was  to  give  an  entirely  new 
aspect  to  the  state  of  the  congregation.  Religion  became  a.n 
object  of  almost  universal  attention  and  concern,  and  increased 
the  desire  and  necessity  for  pastoral  labors  so  much  that  Mr. 
Frelinghuysen  was  constrained  to  adopt  an  expedient,  which 
seems  to  have  been  original  with  him  ;  indeed,  we  have  no 
knowledge  of  its  having  been  adopted  at  any  time  anywhere 
else.  lie  appointed  from  among  the  most  gifted  and  experi- 
enced of  his  male  members  certain  individuals  whom  he  called 
"  helpers^''  whose  ofiice  was  to  expound  the  Scriptures  in  the 
meetings  for  prayer  and  conduct  theni'with  order,  visit  and 
converse  with  the  anxious  and  inquiring,  and  to  catechise  the 
youth.  This  step  was  considered  as  a  bold  departure  from 
long-established  usage  in  the  Dutch  Church  by  those  who  ex- 
cepted to  Mr.  Frelinghuysen's  course,  and  would  even  no^v  be 
regarded  as  a  "  nevj  measure'''  of  very  questionable  propriety 
and  usefulness.  It  may  be  that  it  was,  upon  the  whole,  nei- 
ther wise  nor  safe ;  although,  from  the  character  of  the  indivi- 
duals, their  prudence,  zeal,  and  godliness,  its  eifects  were  seen 
in  the  most  favorable  light ;  but  it  is  certain  that  his  latter 
days  were  greatly  embittered  with  strife,  arising  from  the 
strong  disapprobation  expressed  by  some  of  the  most  influen- 
tial members  in  his  church  of  the  course  which  he  thought 
proper  to  adopt.  But  whether  it  would  have  been  possible, 
with  his  views  of  truth,  to  avoid  such  a  contest,  may  admit  of 
a  doubt.  It  seems,  at  least,  to  be  certain  that  in  some  sections 
of  the  church,  whatever  the  ostensible  pretenses  may  have 
been,  the  great  contest  of  Coetus  and  Conferentie  was,  in  fact, 
a  struggle  of  formalism  against  vital  godliness — of  the  law  of 
progress  against  the  inertia  gendered  by  an  admiration  of  the 


28  MEMORIAL   SERMONS, 

past.  It  was  the  spirit  of  tliis  age  and  of  tins  land  fighting 
for  liberty  "svhen  the  attempt  was  made  to  bind  it  down  by 
forms,  customs,  and  veneration  for  the  fatherland ;  and  it 
conquered  then,  as  it  always  will  conrpier  in  any  future 
struggles. 

The  records  of  the  church  warrant  us  in  estimating  the 
fruit  of  this  year  as  having  been  the  conversion  of  at  least 
fifty  souls  Avithin  the  bounds  of  Mr.  Freliughuysen's  pastoral 
charge.  Of  this  number,  ten  are  recorded  as  having  united 
with  the  church  at  Raritan  on  confession.  The  accession  is 
again  equal  to  about  one  third  of  the  Avhole  number  in  com- 
munion. The  records  of  the  other  congregations  have  perish- 
ed, or,  we  have  no  doubt,  our  conjecture  would  liave  been 
confirmed,  by  their  names  actually  appearing  upon  them. 

In  summing  up,  then,  the  results  of  the  ministry  of  Mr, 
Frelinghuysen,  we  arrive  at  the  following  facts  :  There  were 
thirty-eight  added  to  his  churches  on  confession  in  1720, 
there  were  sixteen  in  each  of  the  ^^ears  1729  and  1<34,  and 
there  were  fifty  in  1739  ;  the  whole  amount  is  one  hundred 
and  twenty.  We  do  not  say  that  these  numbei-s  are  abso- 
lutely correct ;  but  we  do  say  that  the  data  furnished  us  by 
the  records  of  the  church  of  Raritan  fully  sustain  them,  and 
even  more  than  sustain  them.  From  the  records  of  JS^ew- 
Ik-unswick  we  have  the  following  facts :  About  sixty  persons 
were  admitted  to  the  communion.  Many  names  are  undoubt- 
edly omitted  from  the  list,  as  some  are  not  found  there  who  are 
known  to  have  been  in  the  communion.  The  largest  number 
received  in  any  one  year  was  in  1741,  when  there  was  an  addi- 
tion of  twenty-two  persons.  If  we  add  these  numbers  together, 
we  shall  have  in  the  two  principal  churches  of  his  charge  one 
hundred  and  eighty  added  on  confession.  This  may  Avell  be 
regarded  as  evidence  of  a  great  revival.  And  when  we  consi- 
der the  work  of  grace  in  connection  with  the  external  cir- 
cumstances of  the  age  and  the  church  in  which  it  occurred,  it 
magnifies  itself  greatly  in  our  estimation.  There  was  much 
ignorance,  much  laxity  of  moral  principle,  a  leaning  to  Armi- 
nianism,  few  preachers,  and  but  little  opportunity  of  hearing 
or  meeting  to  encourage  one  another.  That  one  man  should 
wield  such  an  influence,  and  be  able  to  sustain  himself  and 


MEMORIAL   SERMONS.  29 

liis  principles  in  the  very  midst  of  the  fire  kindled  to  consnme 
liini  and  them,  is  snrely  an  evidence  of  the  divine  favor,  and  of 
special  spiritnal  communications  from  above.  In  fact,  the 
wliole  work  is  as  clearly  marked  with  power  and  sanctifying 
grace  as  any  of  those  with  Avliich  the  clnn'ches  in  other  places 
were  blessed  about  this  period,  and  stamps  the  ministry  of 
Mr.  Frelinghuyseii  as  having  l)een  peculiarly  favored  and 
nseful.  The  whole  of  its  })ower  we  shall  probably  never 
know. 

There  is  also  one  other  circumstance  worthy  of  notice. 
Several  of  the  converts  in  this  revival  lived  until  within  the 
memory  of  some  Avho  are  yet  with  us,  and  were  uniformly 
distinguished  for  their  deep  experience  and  ardent  piety. 
Fathers  and  mothers  in  Israel  were  they  truly,  always 
abounding  in  every  good  word  and  work,  Gilbert  Tennent, 
of  JSTew-Brunswick,  alludes  to  them  in  his  letter  to  Mr. 
Prince,  of  Boston,  in  ITII:.  "  The  labors  of  Mr.  Frelinghuy- 
sen  were  much  blessed  to  tlie  people  of  JSTew-Brunswick  and 
places  adjacent  about  the  time  of  his  coming  among  them, 
which  was  about  twenty-four  years  ago,  (in  1720.)  When  T 
came  there,  wdiich  was  about  seven  years  after,  divers  of  his 
hearers,  with  whom  I  had  opportunity  of  conversing,  ap- 
peared to  be  converted  persons,  by  their  soundness  in  prin- 
ciple. Christian  experience,  and  pious  practice ;  and  these 
])ersons  declared  that  the  ministrations  of  the  aforesaid  gen- 
tleman were  the  means  thereof."  This  is  conclusive  as  to  the 
spiritual  character  of  the  work. 

Here  we  are  disposed  to  award  the  honor  which  the  zeal 
and  piety  of  this  good  man  seem  to  demand  from  us.  We 
regard  him  as  being  the  instrument,  in  the  hand  of  Provi- 
dence, to  plant  first  the  seed  of  truth  and  righteousness  upon 
tliis  soil,  where,  in  subsc(piont  years,  such  abundant  harvests 
have  been  gatliered.  He  broke  up  the  fallow  grouiul  and 
prepared  it  for  the  glorious  crop.  He  met  and  conquered  the 
spirit  of  worldliness,  self-righteousness,  and  carnal  security, 
which  had  possession  at  least  of  the  popular  mind,  if  not  of 
the  church  itself.  This  whole  region  owes  his  memory  a 
debt  of  gratitude  whicli  it  can  never  repay.  Ilis  labors  were 
the  means  of  introducing  earlu  into  the  churches  liere,  a  tone 


30  MEMORIAL   SERMON'S. 

of  piet}'-,  and  a  form  of  religious  sentiment,  wliicli  lias  been  a 
blessing  to  tliem  ever  since.  Their  spirituality  and  jDeace  are 
tlie  fruits  of  it ;  and  we  are  yet  enjoying  the  benefit  of  his 
labors  in  many  ways. 

In  order  to  understand  the  effect  of  his  ministry,  we  must 
remember  that  the  doctrine  of  the  necessity  of  a  new  heart 
had  almost  entirely  been  lost  sight  of,  and  that  formalism  and 
self-righteousness  almost  universally  prevailed.  Christians 
were  not  ashamed  to  ridicule  Christian  experience,  and  many 
had  become  very  resolute  in  opposing  it.  "  The  common 
names,"  says  Blair,  in  reference  to  Pennsylvania,  "  for  soul- 
concern  were  melancholy^  trouhle  of  mind.,  or  despair.  The 
necessity  of  first  being  in  Christ,  and  in  a  justified  state, 
before  our  religious  services  can  be  well-pleasing  and  accepta- 
ble to  God,  was  very  little  understood  or  thought  of ;  but  the 
common  notion  seemed  to  be,  that  if  people  were  aiming  to  be 
in  the  way  of  duty  as  well  as  they  could,  as  they  imagined, 
there  was  no  reason  to  be  much  afraid."  Upon  this  mass  of 
corruption  and  worldliness  the  pastor's  denunciations  of  the 
wrath  of  God  were  unceasingly  poured  out,  warning,  exhort- 
ing, and  entreating  all  men,  with  all  long-suflfering  and  gen- 
tleness. In  his  public  disconrses  he  laid  open  the  depravity 
and  selfishness  of  the  human  heart,  showed  its  entire  aliena- 
tion from  God,  and  insisted  upon  the  absolute  necessity  that 
it  should  be  regenerated.  His  doctrine  had  no  sympathy 
with  that  heartless  Arminianism  which  teaches  the  availa- 
bility of  sincere  but  imperfect  obedience ;  but  plainly  incul- 
cated the  great  truth,  that  "  the  law  is  spiritual,"  and  we  are 
'•'carnal,  sold  under  sin,"  and  therefore  must  be  made  new 
creatures  in  Christ  Jesus ;  and  that  we  are  justified  freely 
through  his  grace,  by  the  redemption  of  the  Mediator,  l^o 
wonder  that  the  slumbering  lion  was  aroused,  and  shook  his 
mane  in  menace,  when  his  den  was  thus  invaded  ;  nor,  on  the 
other  hand,  that  God  owned  his  truth,  and  attested  it  by  the 
quickening  operations  of  his  Spirit.  It  is  only  what  he  has 
promised  always  to  do. 

We  have  spoken  of  "  helpers "  who  were  appointed  in  the 
different  congregations.  Those  for  Karitan  were  Ilendrick 
Fisher  and  Andrias  Yer  Meulen ;   for  Six-Mile  Run,  Euluf 


MEMORIAL   SEEMONP,  81 

l^evius  cand  Elbert  Stotlioif ;  and  for  Kortli  Branch,  Peter 
Van  Arsdalen  and  Jolm  WyckofF, 

The  years  1750  and  1751  are  marked  on  the  records  of  tlie 
chiircli  as  having  witnessed  more  than  an  ordinary  blessing 
upon  the  ministrations  of  the  second  pastor  of  this  chnrch — 
the  Rev.  John  Frelinghuysen.  Twenty-seven  were  added  to 
the  communion  of  the  chnrcli  on  confession  of  faith.  This  we 
record  as  the  Second  lievival  at  Raritan ;  and  it  must  have  had 
the  effect  of  again  strengthening  and  encouraging  the  hopes 
of  the  pious.  To  understand  its  influence  we  must  recollect 
that  now  the  whole  church  was  rent  to  atoms.  Party  spirit 
l)revailed  to  an  alarming  extent,  and  embittered  the  common 
intercourse  of  life.  In  some  places  even  personal  violence 
was  done  at  the  very  doors  of  the  churches  on  the  Sabbath 
morning ;  and  Raritan  was  one  of  the  centres  from  which  this 
influence  emanated,  and  where  some  of  its  bitterest  spirit  had 
been  exhibited.  The  church  had  divided,  and,  however 
wrongfully,  at  least  a  respectable  minority  protested  against 
the  course  of  the  pastor  and  consistory.  That  in  such  a  state 
of  things  godliness  should  have  triumphed,  and  brought  so 
many  to  confess  a  meek  and  lowly  Saviour,  can  be  accounted 
for  only  by  the  presence  of  the  "  Spirit  of  peace." 

The  ministry  of  Jacob  Rutsen  Ilardenbergh,  who  succeeded 
Jolm  Frelinghuysen  about  17G3,  and  continued  to  serve  this 
church  until  17S1 — a  period  of  eighteen  years — was  not 
marked  by  any  special  revival  of  religion.  There  are,  how- 
ever, abundant  evidences  of  his  zeal  and  faithfulness  in  his 
Master's  work,  his  earnest  efforts  to  build  up  the  church,  and 
his  ability  as  a  clear,  sound,  and  practical  preacher,  to  attest 
his  character.  In  fact,  if  we  remember  that  his  ministry  em- 
braced the  period  of  the  Revolution,  when  all  minds  must 
have  been  so  entirely  absorbed  in  civil  affairs ;  that  the  army 
of  Washington  was  encamped,  for  a  time,  within  the  bounds 
of  his  congregation,  and  he  himself  was  obliged  to  desert  his 
own  house  to  secure  his  personal  safety ;  that  there  must  have 
been  a  flood  of  iniquity  spreading  itself  through  the  whole 
community  as  the  effect  of  this  state  of  things,  no  surprise 
can  be  experienced  that  it  should  be  so  :  a  revival  could  not 
be  expected.     And  besides  all  this,  the  church  edifice  was 


32  MEMORIAL   SERMONS. 

l)urnt  to  tlie  ground,  and  never  restored  until  after  lie  had  re- 
signed liis  charge ;  so  that  tlie  people  were  without  a  house  of 
worship.  In  such  a  time  of  trial,  to  save  the  "  foundations  of 
truth  and  godliness  from  being  removed"  was  honor  enough  ; 
and  this  is  the  praise  which  his  exertions  and  faithfulness  de- 
mand from  us.  He  was  a  great  and  a  good  man.  His  influ- 
ence was  second  to  no  minister  of  his  time ;  and  the  church 
manifested  her  estimate  of  his  excellence  by  appointing  him, 
soon  after  his  removal  from  Raritan,  to  the  presidency  of 
Queen's  College,  in  New-Brunswick,  where  he  ended  his  days 
and  was  gathered  to  his  fathers.  He  was  a  student  of  John 
Frelinghuysen,  and  subsecpiently  married  his  widow,  a  woman 
whose  piety  has  left  a  sweet  savor  in  the  midst  of  us.  Juf- 
vrow  Hardenbergh,  among  the  aged,  was  a  pattern  of  all  that 
was  good  and  gentle  and  sanctiiied ;  and  they  have  taught 
even  the  youth  to  reverence  her. 

The  period  embraced  between  the  years  1785  and  1789,  im- 
mediately after  the  death  of  the  Kev.  Theodorus  Frelinghuy- 
sen Romeyn,  and  the  settlement  of  the  Rev.  John  Duryea,  ap- 
pears to  have  been  characterized  by  another  outpouring  of  the 
Spirit  upon  the  word  and  ordinances.  Eighty-two  were  added 
to  the  church  on  confession  of  faith  during  this  time — and  we 
record  this  as  the  Third  Revival  in  the  Church  of  .Rar item. 
It  extended  through  the  first  five  years  of  Mr.  Duryea's  ministry, 
and  materially  increased  the  amount  of  vital  godliness  in  the 
church.  Many  circumstances  seem  to  have  conspired  to  pro- 
duce a  favorable  influence  just  then.  The  war  of  the  Revolu- 
tion had  closed,  bringing  peace  and  independence  to  these  Uni- 
ted States  ;  and  many  had  seen  and  acknowledged  God's  hand 
in  the  result.  The  church  now  enjoyed  almost  the  whole  ser- 
vice of  her  pastor,  for  Mr.  Duryea  only  preached  at  Bedmin- 
ster  once  in  three  weeks.  The  ministry  of  Romeyn  had  been 
unusually  spiritual  and  fervent,  and  had  closed  most  impres- 
sively in  his  sudden  and  early  death.  He  was  a  gifted  and  ex- 
traordinary young  man,  and  his  brief  career  left  a  deep  im- 
pression upon  the  hearts  of  many  ;  and  God  made  his  successor, 
who  was  far  inferior  to  him  in  pulpit  talent,  the  instrument  of 
gathering  the  harvest  which  he  had  sown. 

Again  in  1802-3  and  4,  there  was  a  visible  outpouring  of  the 


MEMORIAL   SERMOXS.  33 

Holy  Spirit  upon  the  labors  of  the  Rev.  Jolm  S.  Yredenbiirgli, 
wlio  had  assumed  the  pastoral  charge  of  the  congregation  in 
1800 — seventy-seven  individuals  were  received  on  confession  of 
their  faith.  This  we  record  as  the  Fourth  lievival  of  Religion 
which  God  in  his  mere}"  has  granted  to  this  church  to  edify 
and  build  her  up.  And  again  in  1812-13  and  14  there  were 
added  forty-six  members  to  tlie  communion,  on  confession  of 
faith,  in  the  space  of  three  years.  We  shall  not  enumerate 
this  as  a  distinct  revival,  but  oidy  refer  to  it  as  we  pass  on. 

In  1821,  Mr,  Vredenburgh  died  suddenly  after  liaving  con- 
tinued to  exercise  the  pastoral  office  for  nearly  twenty-one 
years  ;  and  as  he  descended  to  his  rest,  the  Spirit  came  down 
to  bless  his  labors  and  raise  up  the  seed  which  he  had  sown  with 
so  much  patience  and  prayer.  This  was  a  mighty  shaking  in 
the  valley  of  dry  bones.  In  a  year  and  a  half,  three  hundred 
and  sixty-eight  were  added  to  the  communion  of  the  church. 
This  Fifth  Revival  of  Religion  will  long  remain  as  one  of 
the  most  remarkable  eras  in  our  history  as  a  church.  It 
was  indeed  a  Pentecostal  season.  The  influence  pervaded  all 
ranks,  embodied  all  conditions  in  life,  moulding  and  blend- 
ing them  into  one  mass,  upon  which  the  fear  and  love  of  God 
was  indelibly  impressed.  For  months,  religion  seemed  to  oc- 
cupy completely  and  almost  exclusively  the  attention  of  tlie 
whole  community,  and  neither  business  nor  pleasure  was  suffer- 
ed to  interrupt  its  services.  ]3ut  to  record  all  the  interesting- 
incidents  connected  with  it  would  require  a  volume  to  be  writ- 
ten. Its  great  distinction  from  many  which  have  been  more 
loudly  proclaimed,  was  its  noiseless  progress,  its  power  and  pu- 
rity. It  was  a  work  remarkably  solemn,  deep,  powerful,  spi- 
ritual ;  and  its  results  were  such  as  are  anticipated  from  sucli 
ti'aits — permanent  and  abiding.  Only  two  or  three  cases  of 
discipline  have l)ecome  necessary,  in  the  whole  multitude  wliich 
came  thronging  to  the  table  of  the  Lord.  This  is  the  nu)re 
worthy  of  note  because  it  is  so  rare,  and  so  distinctly  indicates  tlie 
gracious  nature  of  tlio  wliole  work,  and  how  much  of  the  Spirit 
of  God  was  in  it.  The  effect  I  need  not  describe,  since  there 
are  here  so  many  who  witnessed  it,  and  to  whom  its  recullec- 
tion  is  almost  as  sacred  as  that  of  Pentecost  was  to  tlie  early 
Christians.     Tlie  cloven  tono'ues  of   lire  were  not  visible  to  the 


3-i  MEMORIAL   SERMONS. 

eve  of  sense,  but  tliey  burned  in  every  heart  ;    and  what  the 
eye  coukl  not  see  the  soul  felt  and  enjoyed. 

Durhif^  the  whole  time  that  tliis  work  of  grace  was  in  pro- 
gress tlie  congregation  was  destitute  of  a  pastor,  and  continued 
so  until  the  settlement  of  the  E-ev.  R.  D.  Yan  Kleek  in  1824. 
The  public  services  were  maintained  by  the  generous  assistance 
of  the  neighboring  ministry  ;  and  a  sermon  of  the  Rev.  Dr. 
Livingston  on  the  Sabbath  succeeding  the  death  and  burial  of 
Mr.  Vredenburgh  was  referred  to  by  many  of  the  converts  as 
a  time  when  their  first  convictions  were  felt.  The  Consistory 
also  eno;ao;ed  for  six  months  the  services  of  tlie  Rev.  Truman 
Osborn,  whose  visits  from  house  to  house  and  various  labors 
and  exhortations  had  a  most  happy  effect  in  carrying  out  and 
assisting  the  work.  He  seems  to  have  been  a  man  formed  for 
exactly  such  a  scene,  and  in  the  kind  providence  of  God  was 
sent  to  Raritan  very  opportunely  for  the  accomplishment  of 
the  Lord's  work.  He  is  yet  affectionately  remembered  by  many 
of  the  converts  of  that  Revival ;  and  his  very  dust  will  be 
sacred  in  their  eyes.  He  has  entered  into  his  rest,  and  his 
works  will  follow  him. 

You  must  now  allow"  me  to  speak  of  things  still  more  recent, 
and  pardon  the  necessary  personality.  They  belong  to  a 
complete  view  of  the  subject,  and  can  not  be  omitted  with  pro- 
priety. We  have  yet  to  record  another  which  we  shall  denom- 
inate the  Sixth  Revival  of  Religion  enjoyed  by  the  church  of 
Raritan.  In  the  years  1837  and  1838  there  is  recorded  an 
addition  of  eighty  members  to  the  communion  of  the  church  ,* 
the  larger  portion  were  received  on  two  occasions,  and  were 
the  result  of  a  very  manifest  blessing  upon  the  word  and  ordi- 
nances. They  compose  at  the  present  time,  to  some  extent,  the 
efficiency  of  the  church ;  and  we  should  be  ungrateful  if  we 
did  not  record  the  mercy  of  our  God,  and  speak  forth  our 
gratitude  by  building  up  an  Ebenezer  of  praise  for  the  ful- 
fillment of  his  promise  to  own  and  bless  his  truth. 

The  whole  number  of  communicants  whose  names  are  re- 
gistered on  the  books  of  the  church  is  one  thousand  and  sev- 
enty-nine. Of  them  how  large  a  portion  are  numbered  M^ith 
the  dead,  having  been  called  to  the  service  of  the  sanctuary 
on  high!     Of  this  number  three  hundred  and  thirty-seven  are 


MEMORIAL   SERMONS.  35 

at  present  in  actnal  commnnion,  traveling  to  the  same  inlicri- 
tance  of  immortal  blessedness  and  jo}'. 

The  past  ten  years  have  been  most  eventful  years.  That 
little  flock  Avliose  jonrney  throngh  the  wilderness  we  have 
traced  in  tlie  preceding  memorials,  and  which  we  have  seen  in- 
creasing in  number  under  the  care  and  labor  of  faithful  pastors 
employed  to  edify  it,  and  the  dews  of  divine  influence  sent 
from  heaven  upon  it — has  during  these  years  been  divided  into 
two  bands.  When  this  event  occurred  it  j^roduced  necessarily 
a  disruption  of  many  tender  ties  and  hallowed  associations — 
and  was  not  eflected  without  many  tears.  This  was  to  be 
expected  ;  but  now  Ave  are  prepared  to  acquiesce  in  it,  and 
concede  that  it  was  right.  The  number  in  our  communion 
has  already  been  so  iucreased,  by  the  blessing  of  God,  as  to 
exceed  what  it  was  previous  to  the  division  ;  and  the  accession 
in  families  is  nearly  equal  to  the  loss :  so  that  the  actual  strentgh 
of  the  church  is  not  materially  impaired  by  what  has  occurred. 

The  edifice  in  which  our  fathers  so  long  worshiped  has  also 
been  replaced  by  one  more  commodious  and  better  adapted 
to  the  wants  of  the  congregation  ;  and  thus  all  those  vexed 
questions,  which  arose  out  of  the  necessity  of  enlargement  or 
reconstruction,  and  operated  to  the  injury  of  our  peace,  are  put 
at  rest  for  a  long  time.  Unanin^ity  exists  to  as  great  an  extent 
among  all  the  members  of  the  church,  as  it  ever  did  at  any  pre- 
ceding period.  If  we  could  only  witness  a  deeper  spirit  of  de- 
votion in  the  house  of  God  on  the  Sabbath  day,  and  an  enlarged 
measure  of  prayer  animating  the  Christian  bosom,  we  should 
be  encouraged  to  hope  for  much.  As  it  is,  there  seems  to  be 
danger  of  a  Laodicean  temper  springing  up  among  us,  saj'ing, 
"  AVe  are  rich  and  increased  with  goods,  and  have  need  of  noth- 
ing ;"  while  in  spirituals  we  may  become  actually  "  poor,  and 
miserable,  and  blind,  and  naked." 

The  oldest  living  meml)er  in  the  communion  of  this  church 
has  now  been  connected  with  it  fifty-flve  years.  This  indivi- 
dual sat  with  us  at  tlie  table  of  the  Lord  on  the  last  commu- 
nion season.  All  those  who  were  here  when  he  united  himself 
with  the  people  of  God  have  gone  to  rest ;  he  alone  remains, 
to  link  the  past  with  the  present — the  only  remnant  of  a  for- 
mer half-century.     During  this  long  period,  he  has  worshiped 


36  MEMORIAL   SERMONS. 

almost  every  Sabbatli-day  arouiul  the  same  altar.  He  Las 
welcomed  with  joy  all  those  who  came  to  confess  Christ,  and 
monrned  at  the  graves  of  all  the  departed.  Few  in  this  chang- 
ing world  have  been  permitted  to  serve  God  so  lojig  in  one 
l)lace — very  few  to  spend  so  many  Sabbaths  and  communion 
seasons  in  one  house  of  Avorship — and  fewer  still  have  had  the 
privilege  to  welcome  eight  hundred  and  forty-four  to  the  fel- 
lowship of  the  church.  Honored  servant,  may  his  end  be 
peace  ! 

During  the  period  we  are  commemorating  there  have  been 
numerous  changes  in  this  community.  Many,  called  in  provi- 
dence to  other  places,  have  been  cheerfully  and  honorably  dis- 
missed, and  some  have  gone  to  form  for  themselves  another  place 
of  worship  and  other  associations.  But  this  is  not  all ;  the  de- 
stroyer has  also  been  at  work.  The  leaders  of  the  host  have 
fallen  in  great  numbers  and  with  frightful  rapidity.  Among 
those  who  welcomed  me  here  and  gave  me  their  confidence, 
when  with  fear  and  trembling  I  consented  to  assume  the  pas- 
toral charge  of  this  numerous  people,  but  who  are  not  here  to- 
day and  will  not  be  here  again,  are  Howell,  Talmage,  Yeghte, 
Frelinghuysen,  Yan  Doren,  Vroom,  Van  Arsdalen,  Van  Dyke, 
Van  Arsdalen  ;  besides  all  the  mothers  in  Israel,  whose  ardent 
prayers  were  accustomed  to  rise  like  morning  incense  to  hea- 
ven and  bringdown  showers  of  blessings  upon  this  heritage  of 
the  Lord.  So  busy  has  the  destroyer  been  among  the  strong 
men  and  the  aged,  that  now,  when  we  look  around,  there  are 
only  a  few  venerable  heads  remaining  to  counsel  and  encou- 
rage. The  jDillars  of  the  sanctuary  are  falling  around  us — the 
men  Avho  bore  the  ark  disappearing — and  as  they  fall,  we  feel 
in  each  stroke  as  if  we  had  one  friend  less. 

Deatli !  great  proprietor  of  all !  tis  tliine 

To  tread  out  empire  and  to  quench  the  stars  ; 

The  sun  himself  by  thy  permission  shines, 

And  one  day  thou  shalt  pluck  him  from  his  sphere  ! 

The  complete  number  of  deaths  in  our  communion  I  have 
not  the  means  of  ascertaining,  but  it  has  been  large.  The 
number  added  on  confession  during  ten  years  is  two  hundred 
and  thirty-two ;  the  number  of  intants  baptized  two  hundred 
and  forty-live.     Thus  "  one  generation  passeth  away  and  an- 


MEMORIAL   SERMONS.  3/ 

otlier  cometli''' — tliG  liviiii^  are  taking  tlie  i)lacGS  of  the  dead, 
and  treading  upon  their  steps.  From  the  cradle  to  the  tomb 
is  only  a  span,  but  it  is  all  we  have  to  prepare  for  that  va^t 
eternit}'  Mdiich  ensues.  It  is  like  the  vestibule  to  some  mag- 
nificent temple,  the  glory  of  which  swallows  up  all  our  impres- 
sions of  what  went  before,  and  proves  those  only  to  be  Avise 
who  so  live  as  to  secure  an  everlasting  rest  in  heaven. 

Application. — The  practical  lessons  which  we  are  taught 
from  this  view  of  the  past  seem  evidently  to  be,  that  God  has 
recorded  his  name  here,  and  in  that  record  left  the  promise^ 
sure  to  be  fulfilled,  "  I  will  come  and  bless."  It  would  seem 
to  be  sinful  to  doubt  this,  after  what  he  has  done  ;  and  to  form 
any  other  expectation  than  that  which  embraces  the  fulfillment 
of  this  promise  would  be  culpable  unbelief.  There  will  be 
seasons  of  dearth,  and  cold  and  chilling  winters — the  church 
must  pass  through  these  ;  but  there  Avill  also  come  showers 
from  heaven,  and  the  s})riug-tide  will  appear,  with  its  profu- 
sion of  springing  blades  and  opening  fiowers,  giving  presage  of 
the  fertility  of  the  summer,  and  the  fruits  of  autumn,  to  re- 
Avard  the  faith  and  the  toil  of  those  who  seek  the  good  of  Zioit. 
Glorious  things  are  spoken  of  thee,  Zion,  city  of  our  God  ! 

The  effect  of  all  the  jjast  is  encouragement.  If  we  abound 
in  the  work  of  the  Lord,  he  will  cause  that  our  labors  shall 
not  be  in  vain  in  the  Lord.  When  we  wait  upon  him,  he 
liears,  and  answers,  and  sends  his  Spirit  down.  But  if  we  turn 
from  him,  he  will  hide  his  face  from  us,  send  his  judgments 
to  afflict  us,  and  bring  all  our  designs  to  naught.  Should  not 
a  people,  therefore,  seek  unto  the  Lord  their  God  \  Seek  him 
with  all  your  heart,  and  he  will  be  found. 

It  would  not  be  just  if  we  did  not  also  notice  here  the  fact 
that  in  the  relation  of  pastor  and  people  we  have  enjoyed  ten 
years  of  uninterrupted  peace.  I  acknowledge  the  kindness 
with  which.  I  have  been  uniformly  treated,  the  favor  with 
which  all  my  public  services  have  been  received,  and  the 
promptness  with  which  every  failure  (and  1  am  conscious  of 
more  than  you  seem  to  have  noticed)  has  been  passed  over.  I 
liave  been  with  you  in  weakness,  and  in  fear,  and  in  much 
trembling;  l)ut  wliat  1  have  attem])ted  has  been  sincere  and 
with  a  good  conscience.  I  have  labored  Ibi"  y(»ur  j)rt»ilt,  and 
3 


38  MEMORIAL   SERMONS. 

never  furnished  any  but  heaten  oil  for  tlie  light  of  the  sanctua- 
ry. This  luTS  not  been  always  regarded  in  the  right  point  of 
view.  There  are  some  who  would  rather  have  a  social  visit 
from  their  pastor  than  a  good  sermon,  and  there  are  some,  too, 
so  unreasonable  as  to  expect  both  ;  but  I  can  not  consider  them 
wise  or  just.  There  may  be  others  who  think  that  it  costs  noth- 
ing to  preach  well,  bnt  tliey know  nothing.  There  are  ministers 
vrho  shake  their  sermons  out  of  their  sleeves ;  but  are  they 
worth  "  the  shaking"  after  they  are  out  ?  The  flock  soon 
shows  the  kind  of  pasture  npon  which  it  has  been  subsisted. 
For  myself  I  do  not  know  a  more  heartless  thing,  or  one  more 
wicked,  than  for  a  minister  to  ascend  the  pulpit  on  the  Sab- 
bath, and,  when  souls  are  hungry  for  the  bread  of  life,  talk 
nonsense  in  the  name  of  the  Lord  !  If  I  have  never  done  it,  it 
has  not  been  for  the  want  of  temptation,  nor  from  a  disinclina- 
tion to  social  intercourse  ;  but  because  I  have  been  afraid.  I 
could  not  so  trifle  with  your  souls  and  my  own  responsibilities. 
It  is  much  easier^  and  much  more  agreeahle  likewise,  to  spend 
an  afternoon  in  a  social  circle,  than  in  close  and  laborious  think- 
ino-  in  a  silent  chamber.  It  has  not  been  for  want  of  inclina- 
tion  that  I  have  never  been  a  great  visitor,  but  because  my 
conception  of  what  a  faithful  pastor  ought  to  be  embraced 
higher  traits  of  character  than  those  which  are  gratified  with 
admiration  in  a  lady's  parlor;  and  if  you  are  wise,  and  seek 
the  good  of  the  church,  you  will  allow  me  unmolested  to  pur- 
sue this  course :  so  far  it  has  been  well. 

One  generation  passeth  away  and  another  cometh  !  We  are 
now  the  living ;  our  children  will  be  in  a  few  years  what  we  are 
to-day  !  We  are  passing  away  ;  and  they  will  take  our  places. 
This  solemn  thought  intrudes  itself,  like  those  efligies  of  the 
dead  with  which  the  Egyptians  adorned  their  feasts,  into  our 
most  sacred,  as  it  does  also  into  our  most  joyful,  assemblies  and 
associations.  The  hand  of  the  destroyer  is  upon  us  all,  and 
the  gaping  tomb  waits  to  receive  us.  Oh  !  if  we  could  see  to- 
day what  ravages  another  ten  years  will  make,  how  deeply 
Avould  we  be  afl'ected.  Who  is  to  die?  The  pastor?  Which 
of  the  flock?  If  we  are  wise,  we  shall  so  live  as  to  make  our 
calling  sure ;  and  if  we  can  conceive  adequately  of  our  responsi- 


MEMORIAL   SERMONS,  39 

bilities  to  tlie  cliurcli,  the  world,  our  own  souls,  work  while  the 
day  lasts  ! 

To  the  youth,  the  return  of  this  anniversary  Sabbath  makes 
a  special  appeal.  You  have  seen  how  the  blessing  of  God  has 
attended  his  word  and  ordinances,  converting  souls  to  God  ; 
how  the  ark  has  been  sustained  and  carried  forward ;  how  the 
Lord  has  been  with  his  church  here,  blessing  her  and  making 
her  a  blessing.  The  responsibilities  which  your  fathers  have  so 
nobly  borne  in  past  years,  arc  now  coming  upon  you.  Prove 
yourselves  worthy  of  the  trust  reposed  in  you.  These  walls 
must  be  dear  to  you  by  many  hallowed  associations.  They  are 
not  only  consecrated  to  holy  things,  but  baptized  by  the  Holy 
Ghost  and  by  prayer.  AVithin  this  sacred  inclosure  the  Spirit 
has  sealed  your  parents  as  the  sons  of  God.  If  you  desert  them, 
or  ever  suffer  them  to  remain  desolate,  you  will  be  as  guilty  as 
though  you  liad  suffered  the  sepulchres  of  your  fathers  to  be 
profaned. 

It  has  likewise  another  voice  by  which  it  speaks.  You  have 
enjoyed  ten  years  of  earnest  appeal  from  the  word  and  ordi- 
nances of  God.  Why  has  it  not  resulted  in  your  salvation  ^ 
Can  you  give  any  good  account  why  you  are  yet  in  your  sins  i 
Oh  !  be  persuaded  to  turn  to  God  and  live.  Keligion  is  design- 
ed for  man.  It  is  necessary  to  his  happiness.  lie  is  never 
what  he  ought  to  be,  nor  does  he  ever  enjoy  what  he  is  capable 
of  enjoying,  without  it.  It  sweetens  every  joy,  destroys  the 
edge  of  grief,  and  helps  to  bear  the  cross.  It  is  the  cordial  of 
life — a  sun  to  gild  our  path  through  the  world,  to  light  our 
steps  when  they  arc  verging  toward  the  dark  valley,  and  to 
shine  upon  us  in  noonday  effulgence  in  heaven.  Make  it 
yours.  Where  so  much  prayer  has  been  answered,  come  and 
consecrate  yourselves  to  the  service  of  the  covenant-keeping- 
God  of  your  fathers,  and  make  him  your  God  and  portion. 
To-day  is  the  accepted  time — now  is  the  day  of  salvatior:.. 
May  God  bless  his  truth  I     Amen. 


40  MEMORIAL   SERMONS. 


THE   TIIIED   MEMORIAL   SERMON. 

Preaceed  Oct.  31st,  1847. 

EXPERIENCE     AND     DEATH     INSTRUCTING     MEN. 

"  Inquire,  I  prav  tliee,  of  the  former  ago,  and  prepare  thyself  to  the  search 
of  their  fathers  :  shall  not  they  teach  thee,  and  tell  thee,  and  utter  words 
out  of  their  heart?  "—Job  8  :  8-10. 

IIisTOKY,  it  lias  been  said,  is  "  pliilosopliy  teaching  by  exam- 
])le."  "  God,"  says  D'Aubignc,  "  is  in  history."  If  this  strik- 
ing sentiment  is  true,  then  it  mnst  be  important  for  us  to  bo 
acquainted  with  tlie  records  of  the  past,  because  we  shall  bo 
able  to  draw  from  them  many  practical  lessons,  enabling  us 
not  only  to  live  more  wisely  in  the  present,  but  to  secure  every 
advantage  from  the  future. 

A  poet  has  said  of  experience  as  it  is  taught  us  in  history — 

"  'Tis  very  pregnant ; 
The  jewel  that  we  find,  we  stop  and  take  it, 
Because  we  see  it :  but  what  we  do  not  see, 
We  tread  upon  and  never  think  of  it  ; 
Therefore  be  in  eye  of  every  exercise  !" 

Want  of  reflection,  which  is  in  fact  inattention  to  the  instruc- 
tion of  the  past  and  a  neglect  of  the  lessons  which  it  teaches, 
is  one  of  the  most  indubitable  marks  of  a  frivolous  mind — a 
mind  that  will  not  become  wise,  however  great  its  advantages 
•or  its  acquaintance  with  life.  In  Scripture  such  neglect  is 
■characterized  as  a  sin,  and  is  charged  as  one  of  the  occasions  of 
the  punishment  of  the  Jews.  "Israel  doth  not  know ;  my  peo- 
ple do  not  consider."  "  If  thou  hadst  known,  even  thou,  in  this 
thy  day,  the  things  which  belong  to  thy  peace ;  but  now  they 
are  hid  from  thine  eyes."  Inconsideration  then  constitutes  the 
■very  centre  and  heart  of  that  afl:ectionate  lamentation  which 
our  Saviour  poured  upon  Jerusalem,  as  he  looked  upon  it 
from  the  Mount  of  Olives,  and  foresaw  how  by  rejecting  and 
■crucifying  the  Saviour,  sent  to  redeem  it  from  ruin,  vengeance 
•TA-ould  be  armed  against  its  gnilty  people  and  fall  upon  them 


MEMOllIAL   SERMONS.  41 

ill  utter  desolation.  Inconsiclerateness  was  in  tlie  case  of  that 
doomed  city  the  occasion  of  lier  destruction. 

There  is,  tlierefore,  not  only  an  intrinsic  but  also  a  personal 
interest  in  the  records  of  the  past.  It  has  tliose  lessons  to  teach 
us,  wliicli  we  can  not  well  be  wise  and  neglect ;  tliose  instruc- 
tions to  give,  which,  if  we  refuse,  we  shall  be  almost  certain  to 
regret.  If  God  is  in  history,  it  must  be  important  for  all  God's 
creatures,  if  they  would  understand  the  order  of  his  provi- 
dence, to  acquaint  themselves  with  it ;  for  there  they  may  de- 
serve the  w^ays  of  God — -how"  he  blesses  those  that  seek  him, 
and  destroys  transgressors  out  of  his  sight  ;  proving  in  his 
works  what  he  has  declared  in  his  word,  that  "  the  willing  and 
the  obedient  eat  the  fruit  of  the  land,  but  those  that  refuse  and 
rebel  perish  without  remedy." 

Barrow  has  expressed  himself  so  justly  and  appropriately  iii- 
regard  to  the  use  of  history,  that  we  adduce  his  language  : 
"  The  perusal  of  history,  how  pleasant  illumination  of  the  mind, 
how  useful  direction  of  life,  how  spriglitly  inccntivx'S  to  virtue 
doth  it  afford  !  How  doth  it  supply  the  room  of  experience', 
and  furnish  us  with  prudence  at  the  expense  of  others,  inibrm- 
ing  us  about  tlie  ways  of  action  and  tlie  consequences  thereof 
l)y  examples,  without  our  own  danger  or  trouble  !  How  ma  v 
it  instruct  and  encourage  us  in  piety,  while  therein  m'c  trace 
the  paths  of  God  in  men,  or  observe  the  methods  of  divine 
providence,  how  the  Lord  and  Judge  of  the  world  in  due  sea- 
son protecteth,  prospereth,blesseth,  rewardeth  innocence  and 
integrity;  how  he  crosseth,  defeateth,  blasteth,  curseth,  j)un- 
isheth  iniquity  and  outrage  ;  managing  things  with  admirabh' 
temper  of  wisdom,  to  the  good  of  mankind,  and  the  advance- 
ment of  his  own  glory."  If  there  are  such  lessons  to  be  taught 
us  in  history,  and  such  benefits  to  be  derived  from  it,  we  Ciin 
not  well  be  wise,  guide  ourselves  properly,  or  secure  all  the  ad- 
\antages  of  our  position  without  making  the  study  of  it  a  pai-r 
of  tlie  serious  busiiiess  of  our  life. 

And  what  is  history  but  an  aggregation  of  in(li\i(hial  Uh' 
and  experience- — a  record  of  that  special  care  wliicli  is  extend- 
ed by  our  Heavenly  Father  to  each  of  his  little  ones?  It  is, 
in  fact,  individuality  in  its  social  combinations.  The  men  of 
a  nation,  each  o'.ie  ga/.ingiq'on  his  oir/i  jxvt/'nit,  in  tlie  pictni\' 


42  :memokial  sehmoxs. 

which  it  presents  to  view — the  good  and  evil  of  eacli  separate 
life  seen  in  tlie  common  record  of  the  whole.  It  is  a  snmming 
lip  of  innumerable  items,  to  enable  us  to  conceive  more  impres- 
sively the  gross  amount.  And  as  God  is  the  same  yesterday, 
to-da}^,  and  forever,  there  must  be  a  certain  degree  of  uniformi- 
ty in  his  providence  and  Avays.  What  "has been  is  that  whicli 
siiall  be,  and  there  is  no  new  thing  under  the  sun."  The  future 
is  foreshadowed  in  the  past.  If  we  are  anxious  to  know  what 
will  be,  we  may  read  the  record  written  in  broad  characters 
upon  tlie  scroll  of  time.  Hence  there  is  an  important  indivi- 
dual applicability  in  the  recommendation  of  Bildad,  the  friend 
of  Job,  as  it  stands  in  our  text — "  Inquire  I  pray  thee  of  the 
former  age,  and  prepare  thyself  to  the  search  of  their  fathers  • 
shall  not  they  teach  thee,  and  tell  thee,  and  utter  words  out  of 
their  heart  ?" 

We  intend  on  the  present  occasion  to  make  a  special,  and  to 
some  extent  a  personal,  application  of  these  words,  and  shall 
not  therefore  spend  any  more  time  in  illustrating  their  general 
import  or  in  enforcing  their  importance.  This  is  a  Sabbath  of 
peculiar  interest — to  me  not  only,  but  to  you.  It  ought  to  have 
a  \oice  and  a  jDower  by  which  to  speak  to  our  hearts,  so  that 
they  shall  not  need  to  be  spoken  to  again.  The  thoughts  of 
the  past  which  it  recalls  and  the  emotions  of  the  past  which  it 
|)rompts  are  almost  overwhelming.  It  completes  fifteen  years 
<»f  labor  and  care  as  thepastor  of  this  church  ;  andwhenl  tliink 
of  it — all  the  weight  of  responsibility  involved  in  all  those  years 
— the  idea  so  burdens  my  spirit  that  I  exclaim,  "  Who  is  suffi- 
I'ient  for  these  things  V  and  tremble  to  realize  that  it  must  all 
1)0  brought  into  account  at  the  judgment.  May  God  be  merci- 
ful to  us  for  the  sake  of  Jesus  Christ !  I  can  see  no  other  hope, 
and  have  contidencein  no  other  name.  Grace  affords  the  only 
possible  refuge. 

WJien  Joshua  had  l)rought  the  tribes  over  Jordan  and  they 
actually  stood  within  the  precincts  of  their  land  of  rest,  he  took 
twelve  stones  out  the  river,  and  pitched  them  in  Gilgal,  the 
])lace  where  the  tribes  first  rested,  as  a  pillar  of  memorial — "  a 
heap  of  witnesses'^ — and  spake  unto  the  children  of  Israel,  say- 
ing, "  When  your  children  shall  ask,  saying,  wdiat  mean  these 
stones?  then   ye  shall  let  your  children  know,  saying,  Israel 


MEMORIAL   SERMOXS.  43 

came  over  tliis  Jordan  on  dry  land ;  for  tlie  Lord  yonr  God 
dried  up  the  waters  of  Jordan  from  before  you,  until  ye  were 
passed  over,  that  all  the  people  might  know  the  hand  of  the 
Lord,  that  he  is  mighty,  that  ye  might  fear  the  Lord  your  God 
forever." 

Such  a  memorial  of  the  past  we  mean  to  erect  this  morning  ; 
not  in  a  pillar  of  stones — ^'  a  heaj)  of  ■witnesses''' — but  by  recall- 
ing names  and  awaking  memories  once  fresh  in  your  minds, 
and  thus  marking  upon  the  tablets  of  your  hearts,  as  deeply  as 
aifection  and  sentiment  will  enable  us  to  do,  the  track  of  years. 
They  have  been  more  or  less  eventful  to  every  one  of  us,  and  their 
passage  has  left  traces  upon  our  feelings,  which  all  tliG  friction 
of  the  fnture,  however  tvcaring  it  may  be,  will  not  ul)litorate. 
They  have  brought  to  us  many  lessons  which  are  destined  to  be- 
come '"'•fixed  things''''  in  eternity,  constituting  the  matter  of 
our  joy  and  sorrow,  our  weal  and  woe,  throngliout  the  intermi- 
nable revolution  of  all  Us  ages.  Fifteen  years,  according  to 
political  economists,  is  half  a  generation;  and  we  may  there- 
fore consider  ourselves  to-day  as  standing  amid  the  graves  of 
half  of  those  who  commenced  this  period  of  time  with  us,  and 
whom  we  have  seen  passing  away  under  our  own  eyes.  Here 
is  indeed  a  great  "  heap  of  witnesses"  of  what  the  Lord  has 
been  doing  by  the  instrumentality  of  "  the  king  of  terrors."  In 
our  cemetery  there  are  more  than ''  twelve  stones,"  the  witness- 
es of  "  death's  doings,"  the  frail  memorials  of  (crushed  hearts 
— efforts  made  by  affection  to  make  the  dead  live  in  the  mem- 
ories of  the  living.  We  must  speak  of  some  of  them,  and  re- 
call their  image  to  your  thoughts.  Their  names  have  indeed 
(some  of  them  ut  least)  huig  since  ceased  to  be  heard  in  our 
streets  ;  but  \xo  may  repeat  them  in  this  sanctuary,  and  we 
shall  do  it,  but  not  without  reverence.  Many  of  them  were 
^''Fathers  and  Ifothers  in  Israel,"  ami  the  memory  of  their 
holy  life  and  the  testimony  of  their  faith  belongs  to  the  church 
for  her  encouragement  and  edification.  Tliey  were  "  pillars  in 
the  house  of  God;  "  let  piety  and  affection  crown  them  with 
flowers  and  perfume  them  with  incense,  an  offering  of  grati- 
tude appropriated  to  them  where  they  stood,  and  wliere  they 
still  stand,  "  distinct  in  memory's  eye,"  as  prominent  helpers 
and  benefactors  of  the  cliurch.     Tlie  first  Subbatli  of  these  fit'- 


44  MEMORIAL   SERMONS. 

teen  years  is  renewed  to-day  to  my  consciousness  ;  and  I  see  it 
all,  almost  as  distinctly  as  I  saw  it  then.  Two  days  before,  I 
had  stood  beside  my  mother's  open  grave,  and  saw  it  shrond 
lier  venerated  form  forever  from  mortal  eyes  ;  and  wlien  its 
morning  dawned,  instead  of  the  cheerf  nl  vibration  of  the  clnirch- 
iroinir  bell,  there  was  a  sound  of  death.  We  met  for  the  first 
time,  not  in  the  courts  of  Zion,  but  in  a  house  of  mourning  ; 
and  my  first  exhortation  to  you  was,  "  Prepare  to  meet  your 
God."  Death  had  thus  met  me  on  the  threshold  with  his 
sable  pall,  and  he  strode  on  before  me  like  a  giant,  dealing  his 
fatal  blows  in  rapid  succession,  until  Veglite,  Frelinghuysen, 
Van  Doren,  Talmage,  and  Howell — all  men  of  consecrated 
hearts,  eminent  for  piety  and  influence,  were  no  more — all  gone 
before  two  years  had  elapsed.  I  stood  appalled  amid  their 
graves,  and  anxiouslj-  inquired, "  What  hath  not  the  Lord  done  V 
Ilath  he  indeed  forgotten  to  be  gracious  ?  Will  he  draw  out 
his  ano^er  to  all  venerations  ?  I  remember  that  it  has  been 
said,  that  just  before  the  Babylonish  captivity  the  pious  and  es- 
])ecially  the  aged  in  Israel  died  in  rapid  succession.  It  is  men- 
tioned as  a  well-known  historical  fact,  in  illustration  of  the  lan- 
guage of  Isaiah,  "  the  righteous  perisheth  and  no  man  layeth 
it  to  heart  ;  and  merciful  men  are  taken  away  ;  none  consider- 
ing that  the  righteous  is  taken  away  from  the  evil  to  come." 
To  the  mind  of  the  prophet  the  circumstance  seemed  so  noto- 
rious, and  the  efi'ect  of  the  loss  of  their  example  and  influence 
so  disastrous  to  religion,  that  he  says,  "  Run  ye  to  and  fro 
through  the  streets  of  Jerusalem,  and  see,  and  know,  and  seek 
in  the  broad  places  thereof ,  if  ye  can  find  a  man,  if  there  be 
any  that  executeth  judgment,  that  seeketh  the  truth."  It 
seemed  as  if  the  godly  had  all  ceased,  as  if  all  the  merciful 
men  were  taken  away,  and  that  the  nation  was  ready  for  the 
execution  of  delaying  vengeance.  "  Go  ye  up  and  down  her 
walls  and  destroy  ;  take  away  her  battlements,  for  they  are 
the  Lord's,"  was  the  commission  to  the  avengers,  and  the  eflect 
of  it  which  followed — "  abroad  the  sword  devoureth  ;  at  home 
there  is  death." 

So,  in  our  circumstances,  such  a  succession  of  bereavements 
excited  many  fears  that  heaven  had  in  store  for  us  some 
approaching  judgment.     There  was  more  than  one  mind  sym- 


MEMORIAL   SERMOXS.  45 

pathizing  witli  their  feelings,  and  waiting  with  anxious  solici- 
tude for  the  leadings  of  Providence,  It  seemed  indeed  as  if 
some  sore  calamity  was  certainly  impending  over  iis.  But  in 
the  result  all  our  fears  were  disappointed  ;  the  clouds  in  due 
time  passed  away,  and  mercy  was  revealed  instead  of  judg- 
ment. 

"When  I  recall  that  first  Sabbath,  and  look  around  me  for 
those  who  sat  here  in  the  house  of  God,  I  am  reminded  of  the 
absence  of  many  besides  those  already  named.  Vroom  and 
Davis  and  Tunison  ;  Van  Arsdalen,  the  Bryants,  Van  Arsdalen  ; 
Taylor,  Dumont,  Ilardcastle,  Van  I^este,  Quick,  Black,  and 
Kerriot  are  all  gone  ;  they  have  ceased  from  their  labors,  and 
been  promoted  from  a  seat  in  these  courts  below,  to  a  place 
among  the  company  of  the  redeemed  who  serve  God  in  their 
Avhito  robes  in  the  temple  of  glory.  So  faith  judges,  so  hope 
wliispers,  and  so  imagination  paints  them  to  our  view  ;  while 
a rt'ection  stands  weeping  beside  their  graves,  and  rears  up  her 
frail  monuments,  inscribing  upon  them,  "  These  all  died  in 
faith.''''  How  ])rivilcged  !  how  honored  in  their  resting- 
[>laco,  rejDOsing  as  they  all  do  on  that  magnificent  couch — 

"  With  patriarchs  of  the  ancient  world,  with  kinos, 
The  powerful  of  the  earth — the  Avise,  the  good. 
Fair  forms  and  lioary  seers  of  ages  past, 
All  in  one  mighty  sepulchre  !     The  hills 
Rock-ribbed  and  ancient  as  the  sun  ;  the  vales, 
Stretching  in  pensive  quietness  between  ; 
The  venerable  woods  ;  rivers  that  move 
In  majesty  ;  and  complaining  brooks. 
That  make  the  meadows  green  : 
Old  ocean's  gray  and  melancholy  wastP, 
Are  but  the  solemn  decorations  all 
Of  the  great  tcnnb  of  man  !     The  golden  sun, 
Tiie  i)lanets,  all  the  infinite  host  of  heaven, 
Are  shining  on  the  sad  abodes  of  deatli 
Through  the  still  lapse  of  ages  !     All  that  tread 
The  globe  are  but  a  handful  to  the  tribes 
That  slumlxu"  in  its  bosom  !" 

And,  what  is  more  comforting  for  us  to  know,  for  it  may 
teach  us  how  to  die  like  them,  they  all  "  had  hope  in,  their 
death  P''     Thev  passed  throuo-h  "  the  swellings  of  JonhuT' 


46  MEirORlAL   SERMONS. 

"  Sustained  and  soothed 
By  an  unfaltering  trust  !     They  neared  the  grave 
Like  one  who  wraps  the  drapery  of  his  couch 
About  him,  and  lies  down  to  pleasant  dreams." 

Nor  must  we  omit  to  call  to  mind  among  tliat  congregation 
"  those  mothers  in  Israel  "  whose  piety  consecrated  the  me- 
mories of  the  domestic  iireside  and  hallowed  all  its  associa- 
tions, by  breathing  from  thence  toward  heaven  a  perpetual 
stream  of  incense,  which  warmed  the  fervor  of  Christian  love 
and  drew  down  blessings  upon  the  church.  Many  of  them  were 
largely  her  benefactors,  and  we  should  be  not  only  delinrpient 
in  duty,  but  ungrateful,  did  we  not  cherish  the  recollection  of 
their  piety  and  engrave  their  names  upon  her  recoi"ds.  I  see 
before  me,  in  imagination,  the  Mrs.  Talmage,  Yeglite,  AVhite- 
nack,  Wortman,  Stryker,  Davis,  Porter,  Brokaw,  Yroom,  Yan 
Derveer,  Gaston,  Yan  Arsdalen,  Yeghte,  Taylor,  Rockafeller, 
Miller,"Tunison,  Polhemus,  Staats,  Yan  Neste,  Beekman,  Yan 
Derveer,  Black,  Jobs,  Cooper,  Castner,  Durling,  Dumont, 
Brokaw,  Quick,  Tunison,  Hedges  !  "  And  these  too  all  died 
in  faith^''  and  their  precious  dust  was  in  succession  gathered 
to  its  mother,  in  whose  faithful  embrace  every  particle  of  it 
will  be  preserved  as  seed,  from  which  will  spring  up  in  the 
morning  of  the  resurrection  so  many  glorified  spiritual  bod- 
ies to  inhabit  Paradise.  They  Avalked  with  God,  serving 
him  in  their  day  and  generation,  and  they  are  not,  for  God 
took  them,  and  their  end  was  peace.  They  spent  their  last 
Sabbath  of  privilege  here  in  the  worship  of  the  sanctuary  ; 
sat  with  us  the  last  time  at  the  Supper  of  the  Lord,  attesting 
their  hope  in  Christ  as  a  Bedeemer,  and  then,  as  if  weary  of 
sin  and  panting  for  that  heaven  which  they  kept  so  uear  in 
view  and  longed  so  much  to  reach,  broke  away  from  all  the 
ties  which  bound  them  to  earth,  and  soared  up  on  high  to  join 
the  company  of  the  white-robed  saints  in  glory.  There  the 
eye  of  faith  has  often  contemplated  them  singing  in  the  choir 
of  the  church  above,  and  longed  to  be  with  them,  exclaiming, 

"  Happy  songsters  ! 
Wlien  shall  I  your  chorus  join?" 

Besides  these,  there  were  others  who  were  not  in  the  com- 
munion of  the  church,  who  gave  their  bodies  to  the  dust,  and 
entered  the  eternal  state,  as  Campbell,  Gore,  Sergeant,  Tunison, 


MEMORIAL   SEllMONS.  47 

Torbert,  Quick,  Van  Middleswortli,  Beckmaii,  Dolliver,  and 
tlie  Mrs.  Tunison,  Vroom,  and  Fisher — and  others  still,  sojonrn- 
iiio-  with  ns  for  a  season,  as  Perrine  and  son,  Mrs.  Todd  and 
Mrs.  Eockafeller.  Tlic  -whole  nuniLer  of  deaths  among  the 
members  of  the  chnrch  has  been  sixtj-six.  Sad  memorial  of 
the  power  of  the  destroyer!  But  we  have  not  jet  called  to 
mind  all  the  trophies  of  the  king  of  terrors,  nor  recorded  the 
names  of  all  who  were  once  here,  but  are  now  in  eternity. 
The  yonng  have  died  likewise — ^William  and  Martha  Bryan, 
John  and  Edward  Griffith,  Elizabeth  and  Daniel  Polhemns, 
Harriet  Toms  and  Elizabeth  Kockafeller,  yonng  A''oorhee3 
and  Gaston.  I  have  laid  my  hand  upon  tlieir  fair  white 
brows  when  they  were  as  cold  as  marble,  and  seen  them 
dressed  out  clean  and  beautiful,  as  if  for  a  bridal,  to  be  wedded 
in  their  early  youth  to  the  dust.  All  the  fond  love,  all  the 
passionate  grief  of  parents  and  friends,  all  the  bright  hopes 
of  future  good,  all  the  strength  of  their  young  life,  could  not 
restrain  the  inexorable  archer,  or  shield  them  from  his  arrow! 
His  bow  was  bent,  and  the  fatal  shaft,  true  to  its  aim,  sped, 
and  they  lay  prostrate  in  the  dust.  All  that  was  left  for 
friendship  and  sympathy  was  to  shed  tears  over  their  clay, 
and  carry  them  to  their  rest  among  the  cold  sleepers  of  the 
cemetery.  Monuments  have  perpetuated  tlieir  names,  but 
their  voices  are  silent.  Pale  flowers  have  been  planted  around 
their  graves,  and  watered  with  many  tears;  but  {\\o  floicer.'< 
will  fade  as  they  did,  and  drop  tlieir  withered  petals  on  their 
graves.  "VVe  have  often  mused  over  these  signs  of  affection, 
and  felt  the  eloquence  with  which  they  spoke,  when  the  leaves 
of  summer,  touched  by  an  early  frost,  lay  scattered  thickly  in 
the  forest.  Tlie  poet  was  interpreter  to  our  thoughts : 
"  Thou  ]ovely  eartli !  Since  kindred  steps 
From  tliy  jrreen  paths  have  fled, 

A  dimness  and  a  hush  have  fallen 
O'er  all  thy  beauties  spread  ! 

Tlie  silence  of  the  absent  soul 
Is  on  lue  and  around  ! 

My  heart  liatli  echoes  but  for  thee. 
Thou  still  small  warning  sound ! 

The  sky-lark  sings  out  as  he  sang 
When  they  were  by  my  side  ; 

And  inournfal  tones  are  in  the  wind 
Unheard  before  they  died  !" 


48  MEMORIAL   SERMONS. 

And  yet  there  are  more  claiming  a  record  in  tliis  sad  memo- 
rial. Those  "  blossoms  of  being  born  and  gone,"  which  the 
universal  mother  of  all  tlie  living  hath  gathered  back  to  her 
cold  bosom — "the  early  lost,"  as  nature  regards  them,  but 
''the  early  saved,"  as  the  visions  of  our  scripture  faith  teach 
us  to  esteem  them,  wlien  in  her  holy  records  she  points  ns  to 
the  Saviour's  words,  "  Suffer  the  little  cliiklren  to  come  unto 
me  and  forbid  them  not,  for  of  such  is  the  Tdnrjdoiii  of  GodP 
Tliere  are  many,  very  many  short  graves  in  yonder  cemetery, 
and  I  never  look  upon  them  but  I  think  liow  loving  and  faith- 
ful the  Saviour  is  to  his  people,  in  taking  so  many  of  their 
"'little  ones"  to  himself,  and  garnering  them  in  heaven  before 
sin  could  have  power  to  pollute  them,  or  tlie  world  ensnare 
their  feet  in  its  slippery  paths.  We  ought  to  thank  him  for 
every  one  which  he  claims  and  takes  home.  There  are  so 
many  things  to  be  dreaded,  that  the  very  tears  wliich  affection 
sheds  when  she  enshrouds  tliem  ought  to  be  accompanied  with 
a  consenting  heart,  and  our  loudest  grief  should  be  taught  to 
say,  "lie  hath  done  all  things  well."  Our  loss  is  their  gain. 
There  are  so  many  shipwrecks  on  the  ocean  of  human  life, 
that  it  ought  to  be  regarded  more  as  a  matter  of  congratula- 
tion than  of  regret,  to  see  one  of  these  frail  vessels  launched 
upon  its  surging  waves,  reaching  early  and  safely  the  haven  of 
eternal  rest.  "  God  has  made  every  thing  beautiful  in  its  sea- 
son." How  is  it  that  we  fall  so  much  to  discern  the  '■^heautf 
of  his  providence  and  love  in  gathering  the  buds  and  opening 
flowers  of  humanity  into  his  own  garner,  before  they  have 
here  had  time  to  wither  and  the  bliglit  to  touch  them  ?  I  can 
not  be  ftiith ;  it  is  only  nature  that  impels  these  gushing 
tears.  AVe  must  teach  nature  to  cluisten  her  strong  yearnings 
by  the  power  of  faith's  revealings,  and  become  willing  to  thank 
(lod  if  we  have  children  in  heaven.  AVe  must  learn  to  gaze 
ni)ward  and  "  stretch  our  sight,"  until  we  see  them  in  their 
white  robes  among  "the  shining  ones"  in  glory;  and  then, 
coming  back  to  our  cares  and  toils,  think  how  much  happier 
they  are  in  having  escaped  them  all.  We  must  make  our  love 
to  them  a  living  power  to  elevate  ns  above  the  influence  of 
our  nature  and  our  sin,  and  strengthen  us  until  we  are  victors 
in  the  conflict,  and  have  permission  to  come  away  and  join 


MEMORIAL   SERMONS.  49 

them  wliere  we  shall  part  no  more.  It  is  a  divhie  liopo,  in- 
deed, to  tliiiik  of  meeting  our  loved  ones  in  glory.  It  seems 
to  make  lieaven  nearer  and  dearer  to  us.  We  realize  its  exist- 
ence as  we  could  not  do  but  from  the  fact  that  it  is  the  home 
and  resting-])lace  of  those  we  love.  They  have  not  ceased  to 
be,  because  God  has  taken  tliem ;  they  are  only  veiled  from 
our  sight;  death  reached  but  the  mortal  part,  and  brouglit  the 
material  form  to  the  dust — the  soul  is  with  God.  The  blos- 
som which  withered  here  upon  its  stalk  in  the  spring  of  its 
beauty  lias  been  transplanted  there  in  a  place  of  endurance, 
and  will  expand  in  perfection  and  dift'usc  its  fragrance  eternal- 
ly, to  gladden  and  refresh  that  spirit  which  now  weeps  out  au 
affection  that  has  been  sorely  bruised.  Oh!  that  our  faith 
could  see  this  when  Ave  mourn  the  loss  of  departed  ones.  It 
would  assist  us  to  say, 

"There,  like  a  dew-drop  shrined 

Within  a  crystal  stone. 
Thou  art  safe  in  heaven,  my  dove  ! 
Safe  with  the  source  of  love, 

The  everlasting  One. 
And  when  the  hour  arrives 

From  flesh  to  set  me  free, 
Thy  spirit  will  await, 
Tlie  fii'st  at  heaven's  gate. 

To  meet  and  welcome  me." 

II.  There  have  also  been  many  changes  besides  those  result- 
ing from  death.  Since  the  small  beginnings  of  1699,  through 
a  period  of  one  hundred  and  forty-eight  years,  this  church  has 
m)t  only  experienced  a  variety  of  fortune  and  favor,  but  as  the 
effect  of  all,  by  the  blessing  of  God,  it  has  waxed  strong  and 
become  numerous.  In  thinking  of  those  days  in  comparison  with 
the  present,  we  may  a])propriate  the  words  of  Jacob,  "With 
my  staff  I  passed  over  this  Jordan,  and  now  I  am  become  two 
bands."  It  was  natural  that  the  pro])riety  of  a  division  should, 
at  the  time  it  was  made,  be  strongly  doubted  even  by  tlu; 
wisest.  The  end  of  it  could  iu)t  be  foreseen — its  effect  upon 
time-honored  associations  was  feared:  and  perhaps  we  lacked 
faith  in  the  promise  of  God,  which  is  as  true  of  the  church  as 
it  is  of  an  individual — "I  will  never  leave  thee  nor  forsake 
thee."     The  parting    hour  was  therefore  an  hour  of  sorrow. 


50  MEMORIAL    SERMONS. 

We  felt  that  we  liad  reason  to  be  sad.  But  at  tlie  present 
time  douLt  is  at  an  end,  and  even  fear  is  removed.  There  is 
no  one  who  does  not  consider  it  a  blessing,  and  is  not  prepared 
heartily  to  pray,  "  Send  now,  O  Lord,  prosperity,  I  beseech 
thee."  The  interests  of  religion  generally,  and  of  our  own 
denomination  especially,  have  been  materially  strengthened  in 
this  community  as  the  effect  of  it.  Oar  neighbors  have  been 
blessed  abundantly,  and  from  a  mere  handful  grown  up  to  be 
a  respectable  church ;  while  at  the  same  time  our  own  numbers 
have  gone  on  increasing  in  a  progressive  ratio,  equal  at  least 
to  what  it  was  before,  perhaps  greater.  So  confident  do  both 
these  "bands"  now  feel  in  their  strength,  that  they  have  re- 
cently united  in  the  erection  of  a  commodious  and  beautiful 
house  of  worship,  which  they  intend  to  make  the  nucleus  of  a 
"  Third  Church ;"  and  our  prospects  will  need  to  be  very  sud- 
denly beclouded,  if  such  an  organization  is  not  actually  effect- 
ed before  another  year  elapses.  Fifteen  years  since,  when  my 
ministry  commenced  here,  the  communion  of  the  church  con- 
sisted of  three  hundred  and  forty-seven  members;  at  the  j^res- 
cnt  time  there  are  the  names  of  four  hundred  and  seven  record- 
ed on  our  books.  During  this  time  there  have  been  received 
in  all  three  hundred  and  fifty- one.  If  there  had  been  no 
deaths  or  removals,  our  communion  would  at  the  ])resent  time 
have  been  six  hundred  and  ninety-eight ;  but  on  account  of 
them,  the  actual  increase  has  only  been  sixty.  AVhat  a  change 
this  fact  makes  necessary !  It  is  almost  equal  to  an  entire  re- 
newal of  the  whole  congregation,  in  the  space  of  fifteen  years. 
The  difference,  however,  is  not  in  fact  so  much  ;  for  on  looking 
around  me  I  recognize  here  to-day  many  familiar  faces — fami- 
liar during  the  whole  time  that  I  have  ministered  where  I  now 
do.  They  have  been-  here  constantly  when  the  tribes  went 
up,  even  the  tribes  of  the  Lord,  to  worship  in  his  sanctuary. 
Many  of  those  who  came  to  us  have  remained  but  a  little 
Avhile;  but  the  great  body  of  the  church  has  been  permanent, 
and  the  larger  number  of  changes  has  been  confined  to  the 
jiubGtuating  and  the  transient.  Except  wdiere  death  has  come 
in  to  perform  his  work,  few  have  left  us. 

Fifteen  years  of  Sabbaths  !     Seven  hundred  and  eighty  days 
in  which  we  have  sat  together  in  God's  holy  house  and  heard 


MEMORIAL    SERMOXS.  51 

his  Gospel!  It  is  along  time.  It  embraces  a  vast  amount  of 
privilege.  You  have  probably  heard  in  that  time  fifteen  hun- 
dred and  sixty  sermons.  It  has  brought  you  acquainted  witli 
a  vast  amount  of  instruction,  and  it  involves  deep  responsi- 
bilities. So  much  opportunity  of  learning  Christ  ought  to 
liave  enriched  your  minds  with  a  wide  range  of  gospel  truth 
and  a  rich  experience  of  its  power  and  sanctification.  Paul 
speaks  of  Andronicus  and  Junia  as  being  of  note  among  the 
Christians  at  Home,  because  "  they  were  in  Christ  before 
him ;"  as  if  their  age  and  experience  gave  them  a  special  claim 
to  attention  and  consideration.  And  ought  it  not  to  do  so  ? 
Is  it  not  a  special  privilege  to  have  been  in  Christ  early?  to 
have  been  long  in  his  school?  Yes,  indeed,  age  is  a  blessing. 
A  long  life  is  a  j^rivilege,  especially  when  its  years  have  been 
spent  in  the  acquisition  of  knowledge  and  in  the  service  of 
God.  It  has  a  richness  in  experience,  a  maturity  of  under- 
standing, a  sobriety  of  judgment,  a  settled  conviction  of  truth, 
and  a  wisdom  in  discerning  what  is  real  from  what  is  mere 
semblance,  the  efiect  of  transient  feelings  and  not  of  spiritual 
influence  and  grace,  which  renders  it  always  safe  to  walk  by 
its  counsels  when  difficulties  oppose  or  dangers  are  imminent. 
It  may  not  display  the  fervor  of  youth  nor  manifest  the  ardor 
of  its  untried  affections,  it  may  sometimes  be  even  too  cau- 
tious and  sluggish ;  but  then  it  will  have  the  advantage  of 
having  fewer  mistakes  to  correct  and  less  frequent  occasion  to 
repent  and  turn  back.  That,  however,  Avliich  constitutes  its 
highest  good  is  the  opportunity  which  it  aflbrds  of  doing  so 
much  for  religion,  bearing  so  much  fruit  for  Christ  and  pro- 
moting the  interests  of  righteousness  so  long — "laying  up,"  in 
the  words  of  the  Saviour,  "  a  treasure  in  heaven  with  the 
mammon  of  unrighteousness."  AVitli  such  an  end  in  view,  a 
Christian  may  well  rejoice  in  a  long  life. 

But  when  avarice,  the  vice  of  old  age,  is  allowed  to  grow 
and  canker  in  the  heart,  and  the  veteran  of  years  lives  only  to 
hoard  his  treasures — when  no  heavenly  liglit  shines  upon  its 
declining  course  and  no  religious  topics  sanctify  the  end  of  its 
days,  the  sight  of  it  saddens  and  distresses  us.  We  can  not  hide 
from  ourselves  the  conviction  that  the  rust  of  that  unemployed 
gold,  accumulating  year   by   yeai*,  will  be   a  terrible  witness 


i>l  MEMORIAL   SERMONS. 

against  those  white  locks  as  an  unprofitable  steward,  and  we 
confess  it  would  have  been  a  blessing  not  to  have  lived  so  long. 
Among  us  there  are  but  a  few  of  the  old  disciples  remaining, 
and  this  makes  that  small  number  who  have  been  our  friends 
from  the  beginning  more  endeared.  AYe  can  not  therefore  re- 
frain from  uttering  one  specific  petition  for  them  :  may  they 
live  long  to  adorn  the  religion  they  profess,  and  then,  when 
all  their  work  is  done,  sleep  peacefully  in  the  bosom  of  that 
Saviour  whom  they  have  loved  and  served.  Our  sentiment  for 
them  to-day  is — a  long  life  of  piety  and  a  sweet  rest  in  glory. 
May  they  enjoy  both  ! 

In  noticing  the  changes  of  fifteen  years,  what  is  most  admo- 
nitory and  impressive  is,  that  death  has  been  more  busy  among 
the  aged  than  the  young.  This  is  not  ordinary.  The  spoiler 
generally  delights  in  "  a  shining  mark."  His  most  numerous 
victims  are  the  beautiful  and  the  young.  His  mansions  are 
filled  with  lovely  forms,  and  his  favorite  work  is  to  destroy 
bright  hopes.  But  such  has  not  been  his  course  among  us  ; 
the  hoary  head,  and  the  form  bending  under  a  weight  of  years, 
have  more  frequently  been  taken  to  rest  than  "  the  strong 
staff  has  been  broken  and  the  beautiful  rod."  So  great  has  the 
mortality  among  the  aged  been,  that  only  a  few  of  the  old  pa- 
triarchs, once  the  strength  of  the  church,  remain.  This  has 
subjected  us  to  a  sore  trial.  We  feel  their  loss  deeply  ;  their 
influence  touched  the  cause  of  truth  and  righteousness  in  this 
community  in  many  important  points ;  and  what  is  still  more 
to  be  lamented  is,  that  in  some  instances  they  have  left  no  re- 
presentatives on  whom  their  mantle  could  fall.  The  promise 
leads  ns  to  hope  that "  in  the  place  of  the  fathers  there  shall  be 
their  children,"  but  in  these  cases  the  promise  yet  seems  to 
fail.  May  God  work  it  out  in  his  own  time  and  way,  for  he 
is  able  to  do  it,  even  though  it  should  be  necessary  out  of  "  the 
stones  to  raise  up  children  unto  Abraham"  ! 

In  this  way  the  wealth  which  once  was  ours  now  seeks  other 
channels,  and  the  influence  which  aided  us  is  neutralized  or 
turned  against  us.  We  however  do  not  mean  this  as  a  complaint. 
With  all  our  losses  we  are  strong — increasing  in  strength  in 
many  ways.  What  we  need  most  is  a  higher  tone,  a  wider  range 
of  piety,  and  a  greater  abounding  of  our  liberality.    Deadness 


MEMORIAL   SERMONS.  bS 

to  the  world  and  an  earnest  anxiety  to  do  something  for  the 
<;'lory  of  God  wouki  be  a  perfect  remedy  for  all  tliat  we  regret. 
With  a  mind  to  work,  wo  should  lind  it  eas}''  to  meet  every  re- 
quisition which  the  church  imposes.  The  want  of  it  has  made 
us  groan,  when  we  ought  to  have  been  singing  songs  of  thanks- 
giving and  joy. 

in.  But  all  has  not  been  change.  Amid  all  that  we  have 
mourned  as  we  have  seen  it  passing  away,  there  is  one  thing 
over  the  permanency  of  which  we  could  drop  a  tear,  a  bitter 
tear.  It  is  the  fixed,  the  unchanging,  the  unjdelding  impeni- 
tence of  some  of  our  people.  We  can  not  conceal  it  from  our- 
selves that  there  are  some  yet  out  of  Christ  who  were  here  iif - 
teen  years  ago,  and  w^ere  then  impenitent.  They  Avere  halting 
between  two  opinions  then,  and  they  are  yet  in  the  same  posi- 
tion ;  they  were  almost  Christians  then,  and  they  are  only  al- 
most Christians  now.  Then  they  Avcre  waiting  for  better 
evidence,  and  now  they  are  waiting  for  better  evidence  ;  and 
how  much  longer  will  they  wait  ?  Fifteen  years  of  Sal>- 
baths,  and  strivings  of  the  Spirit,  and  admonitions  of  Provi- 
dence !  Is  it  not  enough  'i  How  wonderful  that  heavcTi 
should  be  so  patient  !  Where  is  there  another  friend  that 
would  consent  to  stand  so  long  and  solicit  a  place  in  our 
hearts  ?  AYhat  love,  other  than  the  everlasting  and  the  un- 
speakable love  of  Jesus  Christ,  is  so  enduring — so  inexhausti- 
ble, lon£!;-sufferino-,  and  unabatino;  !  The  best  friend  would 
have  forsaken  us,  and,  in  despair  for  so  much  hardness,  given 
us  over  to  ruin  ;  but  the  faithful,  loving  Spirit  conies  again  and 
again  ;  the  tender,  compassionate  Redeemer  renews  his  solici- 
tations year  after  year,  unwilling  that  any  sinner,  even  though 
he  be  an  hundred  years  old,  should  perish  while  he  stands  on 
"  mercy's  ground,"  and  death  and  a  fixed  eternity  have  not 
made  his  state  irreversible  !  It  is  wonderful  to  think  of  it.  It, 
gives  us  a  most  solemn  view  of  the  obstinate  infatuation  of  im- 
penitence— a  living  picture  of  the  apostle's  words,  '"  The  natu- 
ral man  receiveth  not  the  things  of  the  Spirit  of  God  ;  for  they 
are  foolishness  unto  him  ;  neither  can  he  know  them,  because 
they  are  spiritually  discerned."  It  is  a  mournful  proof  of  tlie 
prophet's  words,  "  Tlie  heart  of  man  is  deceitful  above  all  things 
and  desperately  wicked  ;  who  can  know  it?"  What  must  tlie 
4 


54  MEMOIllAL   SERMONS. 

moral  state  of  sucli  individuals  be  ?  To  "what  can  Ave  compare 
their  hearts?  Are  they  not  akin  to  those  eternal  icebergs 
which  surround  the  "pole" — congealed  at  the  beginning  of 
creation,  when  God  first  spake  the  earth  into  being,  and  never 
giving  forth  a  drop  since,  but  remaining  always  sharp  and 
hard  and  fixed  in  tlieir  forbidding  impenetrability,  and  des- 
tined to  remain  so,  until  the  coming  eternity  shall  have  passed  ? 
Or  like  those  seas  of  ice  on  the  Alpine  heights,  glittering  in 
the  beams  of  the  sun  and  in  perfect  defiance  of  their  power, 
sending  back  his  raja  from  their  adamantine  surface,  ever 
since  the  day  when  the  power  of  Omnipotence  upheaved  them 
from  the  solid  crust  of  the  earth  and  fixed  them  on  their  ever- 
lasting foundations — emblems  of  hardened  impenitence  ?  It 
is  a  sad  state  to  be  in  ;  the  thought  of  it  is  enough  to  move 
any  mind  to  tears  !  Fifteen  years  of  impenetrable  obduracy 
to  all  the  invitations  of  the  Gospel,  all  the  solicitations  of 
God's  most  gracious  Spirit,  all  the  warnings  of  Providence, 
and  all  the  admonitions  of  the  dying !  Oh  !  it  is  too  much  to 
think  of.  Has  heaven  done  so  much  for  us  in  vain  ?  Have 
we  lived  so  long,  and  only  lived  to  heap  up  wrath  and  indig- 
nation against  the  revelation  of  God's  righteous  judgment  ? 
lived  so  long  only  to  make  our  death-bed  more  cheerless,  and 
our  eternity  a  more  intolerable  depth  of  woe  ? 

To  return  again  to  our  text  :  is  there  nothing  in  the  former 
age,  in  the  experience  of  the  fathers,  that  may  teach  you  ?  Is 
their  experience  of  no  advantage  to  guide  you  ?  Is  your  own 
without  instruction  ?  What  profit  have  you  had  from  all  the 
worldly  things  which  you  have  pursued  ?  Have  they  compen- 
sated you  for  that  neglect  of  your  souls  which  they  have  in- 
duced ?  Is  a  life  of  irreligion,  in  fact,  an  advantage  ?  We  are 
willing  to  leave  the  question  with  your  own  judgment  and  con- 
science. Does  it  bring  you  an  increase  of  happiness  ?  Does 
it  enable  you  to  drink  from  the  cup  of  life  a  sweeter  draught  ? 
Does  it  make  your  social  joys  more  exhilarating  and  your  sor- 
rows less  oppressiv^e  ?  What  is  your  answer  ?  If  you  are  si- 
lent and  ashamed  to  speak,  or  if  you  have  not  marked  any 
definite  results  of  experience,  we  can  answer  for  you.  It  has 
done  none  of  these  things  ;  and  you  ought  to  have  known,  be- 
fore you  adopted  such  a  course,  that  it  could  not  do  any  of  these 


MEMORIAL   SERMONS.  *  55 

tilings.  But  slionld  von  inifortunately  doubt  and  be  disposed 
to  try  it  further,  or  should  you  be  in  search  of  information, 
we  commend  to  you  the  recommendation  in  our  text,"  Inquire, 
T  pray  thee,  of  the  former  age,  and  prepare  thyself  to  the 
search  of  their  fathers  :  shall  not  they  teach  thee,  and  tel^ 
thee,  and  utter  words  out  of  their  heart  ?"  "  Can  the  rush 
grow  up  without  mire  ?  Can  the  flag  grow  without  water  'i 
While  it  is  yet  in  its  greenness  and  not  cut  down,  it  withereth 
before  any  other  herb  ;  so  are  the  paths  of  all  that  forget 
(lod  !  And  the  hypocrite's  hope  shall  perish  !  His  hope  shall 
be  cut  off,  and  his  trust  shall  be  a  spider's  web  ;  and  the  dwell- 
ing-place of  the  wicked  shall  come  to  naught  !  Have  ye  not 
asked  them  which  go  by  the  way  ?  and  do  ye  not  know  their 
tokens,  that  the  wicked  is  reserved  to  the  day  of  destruction  '( 
They  shall  be  brought  forth  to  the  day  of  wrath  :  and  the- 
sinner,  even  though  he  be  an  hundred  years  old,  shall  be  ac- 
cursed." 

Is  this  the  testimony  of  experience  ?     Does  the  voice  of  the- 
past  age  and  of  the  fathers  speak  in  this  wise  ?     Then  you  are- 
condemned  as  one  that  is  living  unwisely  and  running  in  the 
face  of  evil.  It  is,  in  fact,  one  of  the  most  singular  phenomena 
of  human  reason  that  impenitent  men  should  read  these  denun- 
ciations in  the  Bible,  acknowledge  them  to  be  from  God  and 
to  be  expressions  of  his  determinations  in  regard  to  sin,  and 
yet  live  on  in  their  rebellion.     It  amounts  to  this  :  that  rea- 
sonable beings  are  capable  of  acting  very  unreasonably,  even 
where  the  most  important  interests  are  at  stake  ;  and,  if  any 
thing  can  do  so,  proves  most  conclusively  that  the   dlfliculty 
with  the  impenitent  man  is  not  in  his  reason  but  in  his  heart  :. 
and  if  you  mean  to  change  him,  it  is  to  be  done,  not  by  argu- 
ment, but  ]n()ral  influence.     It  is  not  because  there  is  any  want 
of  evidence  in  religion,  but  because  the)'  are  opposed  to  it,  and 
therefore  unwilling  to  be  convinced  by  evidence  or  to  listen  tO' 
the  voice  of  reason,  that  most  men  continue  in  sin.     This  is  the 
testimony  of  Scri})ture  :  "the  heart  is  deceitful  above  all  things 
and  desperately  wicked,"  and  will  not  of  itself  come  to  God.. 
This  is  the  best  explanation  ever  given  of  impenitence — the 
onl}'-  one  that  reaches  all  the  facts  of  the  case.  But  do  you  not 
perceive  that  this  only  makes  your  condition  more  hopeless  * 


r.D  MEMORIAL   SERMONS. 

Such  a  lieart  can  not  be  lia])j)j  without  God,  and  it  is  unHtte*! 
for  enjoyment  with  hiin.  It  is  therefore  morally  disqualified 
for  heaven.  Holy  enjoyments  in  its  sensual  state  are  a  contra- 
diction ;  the  supposition  that  it  can  feel  them  is  an  absurdity  ; 
it  must  be  changed  ;  conversion  or  destruction  is  the  only 
alternative.  And  so  we  conclude  fifteen  years  of  expostulation 
with  you,  and  begin  another.  "When  will  your  hearts  be  al)le 
t(T  realize  its  privileges  or  turn  cordially  to  its  duties  ? 

A]}])l{cation. — It  would  seem  as  if  one  end,  at  least,  of  th(> 
various  changes  of  human  life  was  to  instruct  men.  Attention 
to  them  will  teach  us  wisdom.  They  are  a  mirror  in  which 
we  may  see  the  image  of  the  future  ;  and  if  we  arrive  at  a 
proper  understanding  of  their  character,  it  will  tend  to  prepare 
us  to  meet  what  is  to  come,  if  it  does  not  enable  us  to  avoid  all 
the  evils  it  brings  with  it.  Surprisals  find  us  unguarded.  An 
unexperienced  evil  is  greater  on  that  account.  Even  death 
becomes  familiar  by  seeing  it  often.  How  much  instruction,  as 
to  the  transitory  nature  of  all  earthly  things,  the  changes  ofthe 
past  bring  !  We  have  loved,  but  where  are  the  loved  ones 
now  ?  We  have  toiled  for  treasures  and  built  garners  for  our 
hopes,  but  they  have  all  faded  like  a  frost-bitten  flower.  Some 
of  you  stand  alone  who  once  had  companions  to  assist  you  in 
bearing  your  burdens  and  share  with  you  the  sufferings  of  your 
mortal  state  ;  others  have  carried  their  children  to  the  nar- 
row house  appointed  for  all  the  living.  All  feel  that  the  pas- 
sage of  years  lias  wasted  many  things  which  they  regarded  as 
jewels  ofthe  heart  !  Learn,  then,  not  to  set  your  affections  on 
things  upon  the  earth,  but  to  lay  your  treasure  up  with  God. 
"  Tliey  build  too  low,  who  build  on  aught  beneath  the  skies.'' 
Heaven  alone  is  pure,  unchanging,  and  never  fades  aw'ay  ! 

It  would  seem  as  if  the  past  was  intended  to  encourage  us. 
In  the  midst  ot  all  the  changes,  losses,  and  disappointments 
which  it  brings,  there  are  things  that  remain  unchanged  and 
can  not  be  lost.  God  is  our  Father  still.  In  Christ  we  have 
an  undiminished  portion  of  peace,  enjoyment,  and  hope. 
Heaven  yet  invites  us,  and  waits  with  wide-expanded  doors  to 
receive  us  into  its  mansions  of  rest.  With  God,  and  Christ, 
and  heaven,  have  we  not  enough  ?  Let  us  thank  God.  then, 
and  take  coura2:e. 


MEMORIAI;    SERMOXS.  57 

It  would  seem  as  if  tlie  past  also  admonislied  us.  Is  it  gouo  i 
Mas  it  been  wasted  ?  Does  tlie  tliouglit  of  it  bring  regrets  ? 
Let  the  time  past  of  our  lives  suffice  us  to  liave  wrought  the 
will  of  the  flesh  ;  henceforth  let  us  live  soberly,  and  righteous- 
ly, and  godly.  Unprofitableness  ought  to  induce  repentance, 
and  repentance  wisdom,  zeal,  and  diligence.  The  time  is  short ; 
the  work  is  great.  We  have  no  more  days  that  we  can  afford 
to  lose.  Another  may  be  tlie  last ;  and  to  lose  it  may  be  to  in- 
cur the  loss  of  all  things.  May  God  make  us  wise  and  success- 
ful in  working  out  our  salvation  while  it  is  called  to-dav  ! 


THE    FOUETH    MEMORIAL    SEEMOK. 

Preached  Oct.  31st,  1852. 

AX   IMPROVEMENT   OF   THE    PAST. 

"  I  "WILL  remember  the  years  of  the  right  hand  of  the  Most  Higli." — Psalms 
77 :  10. 

The  Psalmist  is  recording  a  struggle  M'liicli  lie  had  in  hh 
inind  with  unbelief.  He  sought  the  Lord  in  liis  trouble  ;  his 
sore  ran  in  the  night  and  ceased  not ;  his  soul  refused  to  be 
comforted.  All  around  him  was  gloom  and  discouragement ; 
but  when  he  communed  with  his  own  heart,  he  found  strengtli 
and  hope.  He  advanced  in  his  inquiries,  he  made  diligent 
search,  and  said,  "Will  the  Lord  cast  oft"  forever?  Will  ho 
be  favorable  no  more  ?  Is  his  mercy  clean  gone  forever  "i 
Doth  his  promise  fail  for  evermore  ? '  Hath  God  forgotten  to 
1)6  gracious  ?  Hath  he  in  anger  shut  up  his  tender  mercies  ?" 
Xo,  this  is  "an  infirmity;"  to  believe  so  is  sin.  It  is  in  fact 
a  denial  of  all  God's  care  and  kindness  as  they  are  shown  in 
his  providence ;  because  the  obvious  and  necessary  inference 
from  the  past  is,  that  he  is  "long-suffering  and  abundant  in 
mercy,  forgiving  iniquity,  transgression,  and  sin."  It  is,  there- 
fore, instrnctive  and  important  to  "remember  the  3"ears  of  the 
right  hand  of  the  Most  High." 

God's  "  right  hand  "  is  the  emblem  of  his  power — "  the  years 
of  his  right  hand  "  are  therefore  those  years  in  which  any  event 
of  providence  displaying  God's  power  has  occurred  ;  and  "re- 
membering" them,  is  not  only  impressing  their  recollection  on 
the  mind,  but  making  a  memorial  of  them  for  the  purpose  of 
instruction  and  encouragement ;  and  our  text  is  a  scriptural 
warrant  and  example  for  us  to  do  so.  Perhaps  we  ought  to  do 
it  more  frequent!}^  than  we  have  been  accustomed. 

To-day  it  is  twenty  years  since  I  assumed  the  responsible 
<-liarge  of  the  pastorate  in  this  congregation,  and  it  has  seemed 


MEMOEIAL    SERMOXS.  o9 

to  me  to  he  necessary  to  make  a  memorial  of  it — to  erect  an 
Ebenezer  here,  and  remember  the  years  of  the  right  hand  of 
the  Most  High. 

The  text  suggests  our  method.  "We  sliall  group  together 
some  of  the  occurrences  of  this  period  with  a  view  to  our  en- 
couragement and  inqu'ovement  in  faith  and  piety. 

Twenty  years  is  ahnost  one  third  of  the  period  allotted  to 
man.  It  is  a  "  score,"  and  he  has  but  "  threescore  and  ten." 
When  tiiey  are  numbered,  his  strength  is  gone,  his  siglit 
dimmed,  his  head  bowed  and  blanched,  and  liis  tottering  stej)K 
admonish  him  of  the  grave.  One  tlurd  of  a  life  is  no  small 
thing  to  give  to  any  cause  or  any  object.  To  have  given  it, 
supposes  an  obligation  as  to  the  effect  of  its  devotion  of  n(» 
small  magnitude.  I  came  herein  comparative  youth  and  inex- 
perience. I  had  indeed  but  little,  besides  an  honest  purpose  to 
be  useful,  and  some  fortitude  and  courage  in  followinir  tlie 
opening  path,  to  bring  here  and  devote  to  you,  as  a  return  for 
the  confidence  which  you  expressed  in  calling  me.  I  came, 
however,  "  as  soon  as  I  was  sent  for,"  and  at  the  close  of  a  score  of 
years,  can  only  adopt  the  language  of  an  apostle  and  say,  "  I 
have  been  witli  you  in  weakness  and  fear,  and  much  trembling, 
and  my  speech  and  my  preaching  has  not  been  with  enticing 
words  of  man's  wisdom,  but  in  demonstration  of  the  Spirit 
and  of  power."  If  any  thing  has  been  efi'ected,  the  glory  is 
the  Lord's.  His  spirit  has  given  strengtli  to  weakness,  made 
the  foolish  wise,  and  pulled  down  the  strongholds  of  the  enemy 
in  the  heart.  Without  feigning  humility,  we  own  his  hand  in 
all,  and  render  praise  to  his  name.  His  goodness  has  been  far 
greater  than  our  deserts,  and  his  mercies  liave  exceeded  in. 
number  tlie  most  sanguine  expectations  we  have  ever  felt  it 
riglit  to  clierish. 

Twenty  years !  Will  you  go  back  with  me  in  memory  to 
that  Sabbath  morning — some  of  you  can  do  it ;  and  let  us  first 
mark  the  things  as  they  were,  and  then  the  changes  that  have 
been  induced.  You  retnember  the  old  walls  and  seats — they 
v/cre  narrower  than  they  are  now,  they  were  plainer,  they 
were  less  comfortable,  they  were  not  worthy  of  you  as  a  people, 
they  did  not  indicate  either  your  respect  for  God  or  your  zeal 
n  his  service ;  and  they  were  soon  made  to  give  place  to  otliers. 


60  MEMORIAL   SERMONS. 

You  remember  how  we  praised  them  for  the  good  they  had 
done,  and  then  bade  them  fiirewell  with  tears,  as  we  wonkl 
liave  done  "  okl  frieAds."  They  had  been  witnesses  of  many 
solemn  hours,  and  were  copiously  baptized  with  the  Holy 
Spirit.  God  has  never  wrought  for  himself  and  for  your  souls 
in  this  house  as  he  did  in  that.  Three  hundred  and  sixty-eight 
as  the  fruit  of  one  outpouring  of  the  Spirit !  It  was  like  Pen- 
tecost. And  some  of  you  are  yet  here  who  enjoyed  it,  to  weep 
over  it,  rejoice  in  it,  and  pray  to  have  it  repeated.  May  God 
in  his  mercy  hear  those  prayers! 

Ah!  the  recollection  of  that  morning  comes  up  in  my 
memory  as  fresh  as  if  it  were  only  yesterday.  I  can  recall  dis- 
tinctl}^  many  faces  whom  I  shall  sec  no  more;  the  warm  pres- 
sure of  many  hands,  and  some  tea,rs,  (were  they  of  joy  ?) 
which  fell  there.  I  recollect  the  text  and  the  sermon  ;  and  I 
remember  a  pledge  which  I  gave  you.  I  have  sometimes 
almost  thought  the  time  would  come  for  me  to  redeem  it,  but 
not  quite.  It  was  something  like  this :  "  If  tlie  time  ever 
comes  that  I  shall  cease  to  have  the  prayers  and  cooperation 
of  Christians  here,  that  day  will  be  the  last  to  see  me  in  this 
pulpit."  I  hold  it  good  yet  to-day;  and  will  be  as  ready  to  re- 
deem it  at  any  future  time,  as  I  have  been  always  in  the  past. 
I  will  not  for  a  slight  cause  break  the  ties  which  bind  us  ;  but 
I  would  not  remain  a  day,  if  I  thought  that  I  had  lost  your 
regard  and  your  prayers ;  if  there  was  even  a  respectable  mi- 
nority cherishing  such  feelings. 

But  when  I  bring  that  first  Sabbath  in  connection  with  to- 
day, and  mark  the  changes,  it  almost  appalls  me.  Among  the 
dead  since,  I  reckon  some  of  the  best,  the  kindest,  the  truest 
friends  I  have  ever  had,  or  ever  expect  to  have  in  this  world. 
Some  of  them  were  great  men  in  their  day,  and  they  stood  in 
this  sanctuary  like  pillars  with  wreathed  capitals  for  ornament 
and  for  strength.  They  were  "  good  men  and  full  of  the  Holy 
Ghost ;"  or  they  were  "  mothers  in  Israel  "  like  Jael,  Deborah, 
and  Abigail.  Women  who  knew  how  to  pray,  and  who  knew 
how  to  act.  They  had  hearts  and  hands  both.  We  might  re- 
cite their  names,  but  they  do  not  need  any  eulogium.  Tlieir 
memorial  is  in  heaven,  and  there  they  are  reaping  their  reward. 
Happy  if  we  can  make  sure  of  the  same  rest,  by  imitating 


MEMORIAL   SERMONS.  01 

tlieir  patience  and  their  faith.  Let  ns  strive  as  the_y  did  to 
enter  in  at  tlie  strait  gate. 

On  that  morning,  there  was  but  one  pLace  in  which  to  wor- 
sliip  God  in  this  vilhage,  and  even  Avithin  miles  of  it.  Then 
the  whole  strength  of  Christian  influence  and  example  centred 
in  one  point ;  and  from  this  pnlpit  went  forth  the  only  warning 
to  a  sin-enthralled  world,  IIow  they  have  multiplied !  How 
various  too  the  denominations,  where  all  were  one !  In  the 
midst  of  the  present  variety,  it  is  at  least  to  be  hoped  that  all 
may  be  pleased  and  profited.  May  it  appear  in  the  end  that  in 
the  diversity  of  gifts  there  is  one  spirit.  May  that  spirit  be 
C/hrist's  ;  and  may  the  work  of  Christ's  grace  be  promoted. 

There  is  but  one  "  church  redeemed  with  blood,"  and  but 
one  "  company  of  the  saints  around  the  throne;"  but  some  do 
not  seem  to  think  so,  and  seem  to  hope  in  a  change  of  forms 
and  creeds  to  find  an  easier  way  to  heaven.  What  chance  of 
success  they  have  it  is  easy  to  determine. 

The  whole  number  of  professing  Christians  in  this  church  at 
the  time  of  my  settlement  (and  it  was  the  whole  number  in  the 
community)  was  about  three  hundred  and  fifty.  Our  two 
churches  now  contain  about  nine  hundred.  This  one  fact  is 
suflicient  to  show  what  an  extension  of  visible  Christianity, 
at  least,  there  has  been  as  the  effect  of  the  means  of 
grace ;  and  proves  conclusively  the  necessity  of  onore 
churches,  if  not  of  so  many  denominational  divisions.  The 
strength  of  no  one  man  could  liave  proved  adequate  to  the 
labor  connected  with  their  instruction  and  edification ;  and 
every  Christian  will  rejoice  that  they  have  found  in  other  com- 
munions what  they  could  not  have  enjoyed  so  fully  in  ours, 
and  will  pray  that  they  may  be  "built  up  in  faith  and  good 
works,"  and  "  sanctified  for  heaven." 

To  the  original  number  of  three  hundred  and  fifty,  there  has 
been  added  since,  four  hundred  and  thirty-five — of  which  two 
hundred  and  fifty-three  have  made  a  confession  of  faith,  and 
<nic  hundred  and  eighty-two  have  been  received  on  certificate. 
The  largest  number  added  at  any  one  communion  is  forty- 
one — in  the  autumn  of  1S3T — and  during  the  whole  period 
there  has  been  but  one  communion  season  when  none  were  re- 
ceived on  confession— and  on  that  occasion  two  were  added  bv 


62  MEMORIAL   SERMON'S. 

certificate.  There  lias  been  only  a  single  communion  season 
when  but  one  came  forward  to  testify  of  the  grace  of  God  in 
its  regenerating  power.  The  highest  number  received  in  a  sin- 
gle year  is  sixty-three,  and  the  smallest  \9>four  ;  which  occurred 
in  1834r,  when  the  congregation  was  divided  by  the  organiza- 
tion of  the  second  church  ;  and  during  which  year,  in  conse- 
quence of  being  without  a  convenient  place  of  worship,  con- 
fined to  the  old  lecture  room,  there  was  but  one  communion 
season  observed  by  the  church. 

Of  the  three  hundred  and  fifty  in  the  commmiion  of  the 
church  at  the  time  of  my  settlement,  there  are  now  only  about 
fifty  remaining  in  actual  attendance  on  the  spiritual  ordinan- 
ces. All  the  others  have  either  departed  this  life,  or  removed  to 
other  places.  Such  has  been  the  effect  of  the  lapse  of  time, 
and  so  rapid  the  changes  which  it  has  produced.  Can  you 
wonder  that  I  feel  this  morning  almost  as  if  I  were  standing  in 
the  midst  of  another  generation  and  ministering  to  another  peo- 
ple ?  The  circumstance  originates  mingled  emotions  in  my  bo- 
som. It  brings  to  my  heart  the  memory  of  past  joys,  sweet  and 
pleasant  to  the  soul.  With  many  who  are  gone  I  had  formed 
pleasant  associations,  and  often  walked  with  them  to  the 
house  of  God.  With  others  friendships  were  only  commenced, 
destined  to  endure  but  for  a  little  while  and  then  pass  away 
like  those  gleams  of  sunshine  which  break  from  a  clouded 
sky.  The  recollection  of  the  pleasure  is  saddened  by  regret 
for  the  lost.  I  see  in  it  a  picture  of  human  life,  with  its 
transitory  joys,  its  fading  liopes,  its  failing  promises.  It  is  at 
best  but  a  journey  in  which  we  become  acquainted  with 
various  passengers,  and  then  at  its  different  stages  part  with 
them  again,  each  one  to  pursue  his  own  course  and  seek  after 
his  own  interests.  It  is  a  troubled  sea,  navigated  with  a  frail 
vessel,  from  which  one  and  another  is  continually  falling,  to 
disappear  forever  beneath  the  foaming  waves.  We  inquire 
for  them,  but  the  answer  is.  They  ai-e  gone.  Gone  !  Ah, 
where?  Gone  many  of  them  to  a  long  eternity.  They  shall 
not  return  to  us,  but  we  must  go  to  them.  Oh  !  if  we  can 
oidy  meet  them  on  the  happy  shores  of  immortality.  There^ 
there  will  be  no  partings  nor  farewells,  but  associations  such 


MEMOKTAL   SERMONS.  C'3 

as  spirits  Ibrm  with  spirits,  and  enjoyments  sueli  as  flow  from 
that  higher  life  the  full  glory  of  which  they  taste  ! 

But  all  is  not  sadness^  that  this  memory  of  the  past,  as  it 
mingles  itself  with  the  present,  produces.     In  place  of  the 
fathers  here  are  the  children.     Individuals  and  families   have 
happily  perpetuated  themselves,  in  many   instances,    in   the 
communion  and  support  of  the  church ;  and  the  sad  remem- 
brance of  the  departed  mingles  itself  with  the  joyful  recog- 
nition of  those   who   remain.     Ties  in  many  instances  have 
been  severed  with  the  one,  only  to  be  re-formed  more  pleas- 
antly and  hopefully  with  the  others.     It  has  in  this  way  been 
our  privilege  to  see  the  covenant  of  God  faithfully  perpetuated 
and   its  blessings  descending  from  fiithers  to  sons,  and  from 
mothers  to  daughters,  to  become  a  witness  to  the  truth  of  the 
promise,  "to  you,  and  to  your  children,  and  to  thorn  tliat  are 
afar  off — even  as  many  as  the  Lord  our  God  shall  call  ;"  and 
many  a  dying  patriarch  has  been  comforted  concerning  the 
church  and  the  altars  of  his  God,  by  the  reflection   that  the 
place  which  he  left  vacant  in  his  holy  lionse  would  be  filled 
after  his  departure  by  one  bronght  up  upon  his  knees,  and  his 
falling  mantle,  like  Elijah's,  come  upon  the  shoulders  of  some 
Elisha  to  carry  on  and  complete  the  work  which  he  com- 
menced.    Nor  is  the  fact  without  its  interest  in  this  point  of 
view — that  notwithstanding  all  the  clumges,  there  are  so  many 
of  Xhafast  and  tried  friends  of  the  church  who  have  perpetua- 
ted themselves  in  its  communion  in   their  children.     It  ought 
to  be  so.    The  place  where  our  fathers  worshipped  is  rendered 
more  sacred  to  us  by  that  association.     Is  it  not  pleasant   to 
think,  and  does  it  not  add  to  the  impressiveness  of  our  worship, 
that  these  very  walls  which  M'itnessed  their  joy  and  heard 
their  prayers,  witness   ours  ?     Does  it  not   make   the   scene 
more  holy  to  ns  to  reflect  that  at  this  very  communion  table 
they  also,  who  are  now  in  heaven,  sat  down  and  were  fed  with 
living  bread  ?     Can  we  ever  consent  to  wander  from  these 
sacred  ways  where  they  found  so  much  peace,  and  Avere  so 
effectually  sanctified  for  the  enjoyment  of  everlasting  bliss? 

The  whole  number  reported  as  having  been  dismissed  in 
good  standing,  and  at  their  own  request  to  become  connected 
with  other  churches,  is  one  hundred  and  sixty-two.     Of  this 


04  MEMOEIAL   SERMONS. 

number  fifty-six  went  into  the  second  'cliurch,  eitlier  at  the 
time  of  its  organization  or  immediately  afterward ;  and  at 
least  thirty  more  have  been  separated  from  us  for  the  purpose 
of  effecting  the  organization  of  the  different  churches  built  up 
around  us.  The  whole  number  is  not  large  ;  and  the  interest 
in  these  statistics  is  in  the  fact,  that  they  so  clearly  demon- 
strate a  warm  feeling  of  attachment  on  the  part  of  our  mem- 
bers to  their  own  communion.  It  is  not  a  small  thing  that 
detaches  from  us  any  one  who  has  once  thrown  in  his  lot  here. 
Tlie  members  of  this  church  have  not  been  given  to  change. 
The  majority  of  them  at  least,  certainly,  have  never  been 
troubled  with  itching  ears.  The  force  of  circumstances  alone 
has  taken  those  from  us  who  have  come  to  ask  for  dismissions. 
There  is  hardly  an  instance  where  dissatisfaction  with  the 
church  or  the  pastor  has  been  the  moving  cause  of  a  separation. 
May  it  always  be  so.  Such  bonds  ought  not  to  be  easily  or 
rudely  sundered.  Passion  certainly  should  never  furnish  the 
motive ;  and  it  is  no  commendation  to  any  Christian  to  have 
been  given  to  change,  or  to  have  belonged  to  many  churches. 
He  is  seldom  benefited  by  it ;  and  more  seldom  still  better 
satisfied  after  the  changes  have  been  made. 

In  twenty  years,  only  sixty-three  communicants  are  report- 
ed as  having  died.  This  number  is  unquestionably  lower  than 
the  reality,  but  there  are  no  means  of  correcting  it,  and  we 
are  therefore  obliged  to  take  it.  It  is  to  be  accounted  for  in 
two  ways.  The  deaths  have  not  always  been  all  reported,  and 
some  have  died  elsewhere,  but  not  called  for  their  dismission 
previously,  so  that  we  have  had  no  means  of  ascertaining  it 
until  it  was  forgotten.  In  this  way  it  becomes  necessary 
every  few  years  to  correct  the  lists  of  communicants  in  order 
to  preserve  accuracy  in  numbers. 

The  number,  however,  is  sufiicient  to  originate  many  solemn 
reflections.  In  some  instances,  whole  families  are  gone ;  in 
others,  there  are  one  or  two  left ;  while  in  others  still,  the 
"  strong  staff  was  broken  and  the  beautiful  rod  ;"  and  yet  in 
others,  "  tlie  desire  of  eyes"  has  been  "  taken  away  with  a 
stroke."  The  place  of  the  dead  has  had  to  be  enlarged,  from 
the  multitude  crowding  into  it.  In  all  these  scenes,  so  mournful 
and  moving,  I  have  shared  a  part — into  these  habitations,  filled 


MEMORIAL   SERMONS.  Gl) 

witli  lamentation  and  wo,  carried  tlie  consolations  of  Christ's 
blessed  Gospel,  tlie  balm  of  wounded  hearts.  Some  of  those 
scenes  can  never  be  effaced  from  my  memory.  They  will  livi,' 
in  vivid  impressions  among  its  records  of  the  past,  as  long  as 
consciousness  remains.  I  count  them  jewels  of  the  heart,  and 
hope  to  derive  from  them  a  chastening  power  and  a  sanctify- 
ing influence  ever  while  I  live.  I  would  not  forget  them  if  I 
could.  I  should  regard  the  wish  to  do  so  as  traitorous  to 
myself,  and  a  dereliction  of  a  most  sacred  duty.  But  not- 
withstanding all  our  losses  and  all  the  changes  going  on 
around  us,  we  have  been  able  to  preserve  and  gradually  to 
increase  our  strength — at  least  in  numbers.  The  communion 
has  at  times  exceeded  four  hundred ;  but  this  year  it  falls  a 
little  short  of  it.  One  thing  ought  to  be  remarked  as  an  en- 
couragement— no  more  church  organizations  seem  to  be  called 
for,  and  the  increase  of  population  will  therefore,  in  a  very 
short  time,  even  with  an  ordinary  blessing,  restore  all  our 
wastes  and  close  up  all  our  breaches.  Only  the  fathers  who 
are  gone  can  not  return  to  us ;  and  yet  God,  who  has  power 
to  raise  up  children  unto  Abraham  out  of  the  stones,  may 
give  us  those  who  Avill  be  mightier  in  prayer,  and  faith,  and 
good  works  than  they  were,  to  fill  their  places.  It  is  a  pleasing 
hope  that  it  will  be  so  ;  let  us  indulge  it. 

From  this  view  of  the  changes  we  pass  naturally  to  the 
labors  of  the  past  twenty  years.  In  speaking  of  them,  I  feel 
it  necessary  to  estimate  them  as  Paul  did  his  at  Corinth,  as 
being  performed  "  in  weakness  and  in  much  fear ;"  and  to 
avow  that  I  am  sensible  of  very  many  imperfections — probably 
more  than  any  of  you  have  ever  observed.  In  preaching  I 
have  not  studied  to  please  men,  but  to  speak  "  in  demonstra- 
tion of  the  spirit  and  of  power,  that  your  faith  should  not 
stand  in  the  wisdom  of  men,  but  in  the  power  of  God."  No 
one  can  form  a  lower  estinnite  of  the  quality  of  my  services 
than  I  do ;  and  a  review  of  them  gives  occasion  at  least  for 
//?/WM7/c^^^/o/^  if  not  for  self-reproach.  All  I  can  say  is  this: 
I  have  done  what  I  coidd ;  I  have  not  sought  yours  but  you  ; 
I  have  endeavored  more  to  edify  and  instruct  than  to  seek  your 
npjilause;  I  have  not  kept  back  the  counsel  of  God,  but  by 
alarming  the  sinner  and  attracting  the  self-righteous,  sought  to 


(36  MEMORIAL   SERMONS. 

draw  them  to  Clirist  and  humble  them  at  the  foot  of  the  cross. 
If  some  have  occasionally  felt  that  I  was  too  earnest,  and  search- 
ing, and  exclusive  in  preaching  a  salvation  only  tJiroiigh  grace 
and  not  by  works,  my  answer  is,  that  it  is  "  so  that  I  ha\-e  learned 
Christ."  I  know  of  no  other  trust  or  foundation  to  rest  upon 
"  than  Christ  in  you  the  hope  of  glory  ;"  and  knowing  of  no 
other,  I  can  not  preach  any  other  to  the  lost  and  mined.  For 
me  to  do  so,  would  be  to  invent  another  Gospel ;  and  this  I 
would  not  do  to  gain  the  undivided  applause  of  the  whole 
world.  I  have  yet  to  learn  how  the  cross  can  be  preached 
and  the  offense  of  it  avoided.  I  do  not  wonder,  therefore,  that 
some  have  been  found  who  could  not  endure  such  a  cross,  and 
have  sought  relief  either  by  absence,  or  by  adopting  other 
denominational  distinctions  and  another  theology;  or  else 
forming  other  connections  in  the  hope  of  being  better  pleased. 
For  their  satisfaction  I  now  say,  that  it  was  always  my  aim 
to  push  them  to  such  extremities  as  to  force  them  to  become 
Christians  or  to  do  something  else.  I  know  of  no  condition 
more  pregnant  with  evil,  than  the  state  of  a  self-satisiied,  un- 
godly man,  and  I  have  therefore  labored  to  make  all  such 
men  entirely  dissatisfied  with  themselves.  My  study  has  been 
to  knock  from  under  them  in  succession  every  prop  they  were 
leaning  upon.  I  know  of  no  Gospel  which  will  make  an  un- 
renewed man  satisfied  with  himself,  and  I  have  never  preached 
with  such  an  aim — those  who  do  are  welcome  to  their  success. 
[  might  have  daubed  with  untempered  mortar,  and  been  lauded 
to  the  skies.  I  could  not  purchase  their  smiles  or  their  suj^port 
at  the  price  demanded  for  them,  and  experience  therefore  no 
disappointment  in  the  result.  May  they  be  happier  and  holier 
wliere  they  are  !  In  a  very  few  instances,  we  might  say,  "  I 
marvel  that  ye  are  so  soon  removed  from  him  tliat  called 
you  in  the  Gospel." 

In  twenty  years  I  have  preached  not  far  from  two  thousand 
sermons  to  my  people ;  one  half  of  which  have  been  written 
every  word  with  this  right  hand.  I  say  nothing  of  the  toil 
and  thought  which  have  been  required  to  perform  such  an 
amount  of  labor,  because  it  has  been  a  pleasure  to  me.  I  have 
loved  this  kind  of  employment,  and  been  cheerful  and  happy 
under  it.     My  estimate  of  what  is  the  duty  of  a  minister  of 


MEMORIAL  SERMONS.  67 

Christ's  word  has  been  such  as  to  make  this  course  uecessary, 
I  could  have  preached  with  far  less  study — perhaps  with  equal, 
if  not  greater  acceptance,  by  preaching  without  the  labor 
of  composing  ;  but  I  have  never  dared  to  utter  crude  thoughts 
and  "  words  without  knowledge,"  or  to  bring  husks  to  those 
who  were  hungering  for  the  bread  of  life.  At  the  conclusion 
of  such  a  protracted  course,  I  am  ready  to  avow  my  convic- 
tions of  it  being  the  best;  and,  therefore,  if  it  was  again  to  be 
undertaken,  I  would  not  change  my  practice,  at  least  in  this 
respect. 

Besides  sermons,  I  have  preached  some  five  hundred  weekly 
lectures.  In  these  I  have  studied  freedom  from  logical  order 
and  restraint — endeavoring  to  bring  in  as  wide  a  range  of  sub- 
jects and  remark  as  was  consistent  with  attention  to  the  mind 
of  Christ.  The  substance  of  many  of  these  has  been  repeated 
more  than  once  ;  but  the  words,  rising  to  my  mind  as  the  oc- 
casion and  circumstances  prompted,  could  never  be  recalled. 
In  this  way,  even  though  tlic  text  were  the  same,  it  has  often 
happened  that  almost  an  entirely  new  discourse  has  been 
called  fort.  Indeed,  in  all  cases  the  natural  variation  pre- 
vented sameness. 

I  have  kept  no  account  of  the  number  of  funeral  sermons  and 
catechetical  lectures,  and  therefore  can  not  estimate  them  except 
in  general  terms.  They  must,  however,  have  amounted  to  five 
hundred  or  more.  So  that  during  the  course  of  my  ministry 
among  you,  I  have  at  least  on  three  thousand  different  occa- 
sions commended  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  to  your  regard,  and 
urged  you  to  accept  of  his  mercy. 

There  have  been  in  all  this  time  five  hundred  and  sixty-four 
children  admitted  to  the  ordinance  of  baptism — and  thirty- 
three  adults  on  confession  of  their  faith — making  in  all  five 
hundred  and  ninety -seven  baptisms.  There  have  also  been  two 
hundred  and  twelve  marriages,  at  which  we  have  been  present 
and  officiated  in  confirming  tlie  sacred  union.  In  these  vari- 
ous services,  joy  and  sorrow  have  often  been  brought  in  close 
proximity  ;  and  I  have  been  called  even  from  the  gnive  of  my 
fiither  to  the  festive  circle  to  mingle  in  the  joy  of  the  nuirriage 
supper.  Human  life  is  in  many  respects  a  strange  scene,  verg- 
ing rapidly  from  one  extreme  to  anotlier ;  but  how  much  stran- 


G8  MEMORIAL   SERMONS. 

ger  is  the  life  of  a  minister  of  the  Gospel !  lie  is  often  called 
from  the  house  of  mourning  to  the  house  of  feasting.  He  sees 
life  in  all  its  various  phases,  from  high  to  low — from  the  grave 
and  solemn  and  serene  to  the  extremes  of  joy  and  sorrow.  He 
is  present  with  all  as  a  friend,  a  counselor,  a  helper ;  and 
seems  to  be  equally  necessary  to  each  one.  To  enable  him  to 
meet  all  the  calls  thus  made  upon  him,  he  needs  an  iron  frame; 
and  untiring  perseverance  :  jierves  capable  of  enduring  the 
pressure  of  the  most  various  circumstances  ;  the  purity  and 
love  of  an  angel  mingled  with  the  prudence  of  the  most  perfect 
wisdom  ;  and  yet  all  these  high  qualities  and  gifts  would  not 
suffice  to  save  him  from  becoming  the  occasion  of  offense  to 
some,  falling  under  the  reproach  of  others,  and  doing  acts  of 
kindness  to  maiiy,  from  whom  he  receives  no  acknowledgment 
or  gratitude.  It  is  not  a  soft  pillow  upon  which  a  minister  lays 
his  head,  and  if  he  makes  his  calculations  of  finding  ease  and 
pleasure,  there  is  no  one  man  more  certain  of  being  disap- 
pointed. 

Nor  have  the  vicissitudes,  of  which  Ave  have  been  speaking, 
all  been  witnessed  in  your  habitations.  In  my  own,  too,  joy 
and  sorrow  ha\'e  been  interchanging  guests.  Sickness  once 
laid  its  sore  hand  upon  me  ;  and  twice  has  death  come  knock- 
ing at  my  door  !  My  beautiful,  my  angel  child  sleeps  where 
so  many  of  yom*  parents  and  children  sleep  ;  but  I  mourn  not 
as  those  who  have  no  hope.  "  God  hath  done  all  things  well." 
I  often  see  her  among  those  who  wear  white  robes  in  heaven, 
one  of  those  "  little  ones"  of  which  the  Saviour  has  said,  "  of 
such  is  the  kingdom  of  God  ;"  and  when  faith  is  clear,  rejoice 
that  I  have  one  child  in  Paradise  enjoying  the  beatitudes  of 
immortality. 

The  twenty  years  whicli  I  have  spent  in  the  service  of  this 
church,  constitute  the  best  portion  of  my  life.  I  have  gather- 
ed, it  is  true,  a  larger  experience  than  I  brought  here  ;  and  have 
accumulated  stores  of  knowledge  Avhile  pursuing  the  duties  of 
i]iy  calling.  The  advantage  of  these  you  may  expect  to  enjoy  ; 
but  I  can  not  promise  any  greater  activity,  any  increase  of  ardor, 
any  higher  vigor.  Like  many  of  those  wdio  now  constitute 
"  the  bone  and  sinew"  of  this  church,  after  a  few  more  years, 
my  life  will  pass  into  the  sear  and  yellow  leaf,  and  the  autumn 


MEMORIAL   SERMOXS.  69 

of  its  (lays  come  on.  "We  liave  lived  in  liarmonj  so  lono-,  that 
I  cherish  no  apprehensions  but  that  we  shall  he  able  to  con- 
tinue it  to  the  end.  Where  I  have  buried  my  dead  it  may  bo 
that  my  ashes  will  also  rest ;  and  when  my  work  is  done,  that  I 
shall  leave  only  the  memorial  of  a  grave  by  which  to  hold  a 
place  in  the  thoughts  of  the  living.  If  it  should  be  so,  may  I 
meet  yon  all  in  heaven  to  spend  a  happy  eternity  in  the  enjoy- 
ment of  the  rest  of  God.  What  blessedness  to  have  all  my 
friends  with  me  in  glory  ! 

When  I  look  back  to-day  over  the  past  years,  many  pleasing 
inemories  likewise  rise  up  to  view.  I  have  to  acknowledge 
almost  universal  kindness,  respect,  and  attention,  on  tlie  part  of 
all  the  members  of  this  congregation.  When  I  look  over  the 
face  of  this  wdiole  audience  I  see  a  friend  in  CYery  one.  In 
many  of  you  such  firm,  fast,  tried,  lasting  friends,  as  few  minis- 
ters, even  in  our  happy  connection,  have  been  permitted  to 
claim.  There  are  even  some  of  the  J^athers  here  who  selected 
me  as  their  pastor  and  sent  for  me ;  to  doubt  them  would  bo 
to  doubt  mankind,  and  disavow  all  faith  in  truth  and  honoi'. 
Here,  too,  are  others  who  have  cast  in  their  lot  with  us,  and 
already  proved  that  they  are  not  a  whit  behind  the  foremost 
and  the  best,  in  devotion  to  the  chui-ch  and  willingness  to  main- 
tain her  interests  ;  and  a  noble  band  of  youth,  strong  in  their 
love  of  the  truth,  earnest  in  their  piety,  and  ardent  in  their  do- 
sire  not  to  prove  themselves  unworthy  of  the  just  expectations 
formed  of  their  character  as  men  and  as  Christians  ;  besides 
many  godly  women  whoso  hearts  have  always  been  warm,  and 
whose  hands  have  ever  been  ready,  where  any  affection  was  to 
be  shown  and  any  work  to  be  done — they  are  all  here  and 
will  be  here,  until  God  has  need  of  them  in  his  higher  work, 
and  translates  them  to  his  own  house  in  heaven  ! 

There  is,  however,  one  thought  which  comes  in  like  a  dark 
cloud,  tool)scure  the  sunshine  which  illumines  this  happy  dav- 
it is  the  knowledge  that  there  are  some  here  in  the  same 
condition  in  which  they  were  here  twenty  years  ago.  They 
were  strangers  to  renewing  grace  then,  and  they  are  strangers 
to  renewing  grace  now.  They  have  been  warned  of  their 
danger,  reasoned  with,  expostulated  with,  and  entreated,  but 
all  in  vain.  Twenty  years  of  Sabbaths  and  gospel  privilogos 
5 


70  ,        MEMORIAL   SERMONS. 

is  no  small  item  in  the  account  of  eternity.  How  will  they 
meet  it  ?  What  can  I  do  for  them  ?  I  know  of  no  argn- 
ments  to  prevail  with  them  which  have  not  been  employed, 
no  depths  in  the  love  of  Christ  Avhicli  have  not  been  displayed, 
710  heights  in  his  mercy  which  have  not  been  shown,  no  at- 
tractions in  his  cross  which  have  not  been  unfolded,  no  joys 
flowing  from  communion  with  God  which  have  not  been  paint- 
ed, no  power  in  heavenly  things  which  has  not  been  urged 
again  and  again  !  I  can  not  preach  stronger,  clearer,  more 
earnestly,  or  more  affectionately  than  I  have  preached.  I  can 
not  tell  you  any  more  of  Jesus  than  I  have  told  you  ;  nor  can 
r  paint  the  value  of  your  souls  in  stronger  colors  than  I  have 
painted  it.  What,  then,  can  be  done  for  you  ?  Must  I  leave  you  'i 
Ixave  you  !  where  ?  In  sin — enemies  to  God  and  his  govern- 
ment— unregenerated  and  unmatured  for  heaven !  To  lea^o 
you  where  you  are,  is  to  leave  you  to  perish,  with  all  your  sins 
upon  your  souls.  I  can  not  leave  you  thus.  You  must  hear  me 
to-day,  if  you  have  never  been  willing  to  hear  me  before.  You 
must  not  leave  me  to  Avitness  against  you  at  the  bar  of  God, 
when  I  come  to  give  an  account  of  my  stewardship  as  your 
])astor !  You  must  come  to  Christ !  Above  all  others  you 
are  bound  to  repent  and  believe  on  the  Saviour.  So  much 
grace  has  been  expended  upon  you,  so  much  long  suffering  has 
waited  on  you,  so  much  compassion  has  entreated  you,  that 
vou  must  not  throw  it  all  away,  and  like  a  mariner  perishing 
in  sight  of  land,  die  on  the  borders  of  heaven.  There  is  an 
obliii'ation  upon  you  which  rests  not  upon  others.  You  have 
had  vour  cup  of  mercies  running  over.  You  are  Chorazinand 
Bethsaida  in  the  days  of  Christ,  "  exalted  to  heaven,"  and  if 
you  are  recreant  to  all  at  last,  you  will  like  them  be  thrust 
down  to  hell— the  lowest,  darkest,  most  des^^airing  portion  in 
the  '•  horrible  pit."  Oh  !  how  much  the  misery  of  the  lost 
will  be  increased  by  their  mercies  and  Sabbaths  on  earth. 
AVhat  sorrowful  reflections  will  be  inspired  by  these  solemn 
assemblies  where  God  comes  to  woo  and  to  win  us  to  himself ! 
My  dear  friends,  you  must  not  leave  your  Saviour.  You  must 
not  let  the  world  ensnare  you  and  cheat  you  out  of  your  souls. 
They  are  too  valuable  to  be  trifled  with.  Tlte  estimation  of 
them  in  the  sight  of  God  is  too  high,  for  you  to  barter  them 


MEMORIAL   SERMONS.  71 

for  a  promise  wliicli  will  prove  to  be  but  an  empty  shadow. 
Hear  us  then,  when  we  plead  with  3'ou  to-day,  though  you  may 
have  refused  to  hear  for  twenty  years  ;  and  as  you  liear  turn  tu 
God  and  live. 

Nor  would  we  forget  another  and  an  opposite  class  of  our 
hearers  to-day — the  rising  youth.  To  them  my  heart  turns 
with  infinite  yearnings.  Many  of  them  I  have  consecrated  to 
God  by  sprinkling  upon  theni  the  Avater  of  baptism  ;  and  all 
their  life  long,  I  have  prayed  that  God  would  add  his  bless- 
ing, and  sprinkle  upon  them  clean  ivate7\  that  they  may  be 
clean — communicating  the  regenerating  influences  of  the  Holy 
Spirit  to  make  them  new  creatures,  the  children  of  God.  Many 
of  them  I  have  instructed  carefully  in  the  excellent  formulas 
of  our  faith,  and  made  them  acquainted  with  the  way  of  life. 
Should  I  not  rejoice  to  see  them  entering  upon  it  ?  My  young 
friends,  when  I  think  how  soon  you  are  to  be  in  the  place  of 
your  fathers  and  mothers,  the  responsibilities  of  the  church  and 
the  w^orld  resting  upon  you,  I  feel  the  deepest  solicitude  that 
3^ou  should  prove  yourselves  worthy  of  your  privileges,  your 
instruction,  and  your  oi:)portunities.  More  is  anticipated  from 
you  than  from  them,  because  you  have  grown  up  under  a  bet- 
ter train  of  influences,  and  have  enjoyed  what  was  denied  to 
them.  You  must  be  better  Christians  than  they  have  ever 
been.  Your  benevolence  must  be  larger,  your  zeal  warmer, 
your  piety  more  active.  This  age  of  the  church  calls  you  to 
many  duties  from  w'hich,  in  providence,  they  were  exempt. 
There  are  things  for  you  to  do,  Avhicli  they  had  not  the  privi- 
lege of  doing.  All  our  missionary  operations  and  our  Sabbath- 
schools  are  lights  of  this  generation  ;  and  they  open  to  you 
wider  departments  of  labor,  and  furnish  pleasing  opportunities 
of  displaying  a  Christianity  of  a  purer  typo,  than  that  which 
performed  the  duties  and  met  the  responsibilities  of  the  past 
generation.  Let  the  examples  of  the  Scriptures  encourage 
you.  Samuel,  the  chief  among  the  prophets  under  the  Old 
Testament,  ministered  to  God  in  his  childhood — his  mother 
"  lent  him  to  the  Lord,"  and  he  grew  up,  as  it  were,  in  the  very 
temple  of  God.  Josiah,  one  of  the  very  best  of  the  kings,  had 
a  heart  that  was  tender  toward  God  in  his  tender  years. 
AVhen  Christ  Avas  on  earth,  and  the  priests  and  the  Sanhc- 


72  MEMORIAL   SERMONS. 

(.Irim  rejected  and  insulted  liim,  tlie  children  went  out  to 
meet  liim  in  the  way,  and  sang  joyful  ITosannas  in  his  praise. 
Timothy,  one  of  the  most  interesting  characters  in  the  Kew 
Testament,  and  one  of  the  most  successful  among  the  early  mis- 
sionaries of  Christ's  Gospel,  was  from  a  child  acquainted  with 
the  Scriptures,  "which  are  ahle  to  make  us  wise  unto  salvation 
through  faith  in  Jesus  Christ."  l^ay,  there  is  a  point  of 
higher  interest  still  to  he  remarked  in  the  piety  of  this  young 
apostle.  He  was  a  child  of  the  covenant — "  the  faith  that  was 
in  him  had  dwelt  first  in  his  grandmother  Lois,  and  in  his 
mother  Eunice."  Like  some  of  you  he  was  born  of  prayers 
and  baptized  early  with  the  dews  of  divine  influences.  The 
house  in  which  he  grew  up  had  been  a  Bethel,  where  God  was 
present  often,  even  when  unknown.  Oh  !  if  Timothy,  the  son 
of  such  parents  and  privileges,  had  proved  recreant  to  his  holy 
obligations,  what  a  wretch  he  must  have  been !  And  yet  there 
are  such  in  this  world  of  sin — sons  who  renounce  their  bap- 
tism, shame  the  piety  of  their  parents,  and  deliberately  turn 
away,  even  from  that  heaven  where  those  parents  are  living 
and  waiting  to  receive  them,  for  the  sake  of  the  baubles  and 
the  lies  of  this  deceitful  world.  My  young  friends,  let  me 
warn  you  against  this — let  me  entreat  you  to  avoid  so  un- 
natural a  sin.  Devote  your  early  years  to  wisdom,  and  give 
your  young  affections  to  Christ  and  heaven.  God  claimed 
in  ancient  times  the  "  first-fruits"  for  himself.  Carry  your 
"  green  ears"  to  the  sanctuary,  and  lay  them  upon  the  altar 
as  an  offering  and  an  emblem  of  the  consecration  of  your- 
self, soul  and  body,  to  be  the  Lord's.  Give  the  pleasures  of 
sin  to  those  who  know  of  no  better  portion.  They  are  at 
best  but  vain  delights.  Their  honeycomb  has  always  a  sting 
in  it  :  and  it  is  like  the  little  book  of  John,  sweet  in  your 
mouth,  but  wormwood  and  gall  when  you  have  eaten  it. 
Keligion  offers  you  in  their  place  "  sjnritucil  delights,  sweet 
and  pleasant  to  the  soul."  It  will  bring  you  to  a  banquet- 
ing house,"  and  spread  over  you  such  a  banner  of  love,"  that 
you  will  be  made  to  rejoice  with  "  joy  unspeakable  and  full  of 
glory." 

In  regard  to  the  future — I  neither  have  any  new  plans  of 
usefulness  to  announce,  nor  any  methods  or  measures  of  doing 


MEMORIAL   SERMOXS.  73 

<]^ood  to  recommend,  with  wliicli  you  are  not  already  acquainted. 
I  have  not  in  fact  even  any  new  promises  to  malce.  I  do  not 
expect  to  Labor  more  than  I  liave  done,  to  preach  in  a  different 
way,  or  indeed  to  try  any  experiments  whatever :  but  as  long 
as  I  remain  the  pastor  of  this  church,  I  shall  preach  what  I 
think  to  be  the  truth — truth  as  I  learn  it  in  the  Bible  ;  and  I 
shall  not  preach  it  any  the  less  because  it  is  unwelcome  to 
some,  but  the  more  /  because  in  the  unwelcomeiiess  I  shall  find 
both  the  need  of  it  and  the  motive  to  enforce  it.  I  shall  ex- 
pect the  cooperation,  sympathy,  support,  countenance,  and 
prayers  of  all  the  pious  among  my  people.  I  must  have  them. 
The  claim  is  not  put  forth  as  a  favor,  it  is  demanded  as  a 
right — and  if  you  withhold  these  things  from  me  you  will  d*) 
yourselves  more  harm  than  you  will  do  me.  I  may  in  such  an 
issue  seek  another  place,  and  secure  from  others  what  you 
deny,  but  you  can  not  avoid  the  consequences  of  delinquency 
in  a  duty  so  important.  I  shall  expect  that  these  prayers  will 
be  something  more  than  a  form ;  for  the  form  and  the  words 
are  nothing  without  the  heart,  without  faith.  "  Eight  believ- 
ing," says  one,  "  is  powerful  praying."  The  knees,  eyes,  and 
tongue  bear  the  least  share  in  prayer.  The  whole  of  the  work 
lies  upon  the  soul,  and  particularly  upon  faith  in  the  soul, 
which  is  the  life  and  power  of  prayer.  Faith  can  pray  with- 
out words,  but  the  most  eloquent  words,  even  the  "  tongues  of 
angels,"  are  not  wortliy  to  be  called  prayer  witliout  faith. 
This  is  not  only  a  solemn  truth,  but  an  important  reality. 

And  now,  in  conclusion,  let  me  remind  you  that  one  volume 
of  our  mutual  accountability,  as  jiastor  and  people,  is  closed  ; 
and  another  commences  to-day.  In  the  past,  alas,  there  is  too 
much  written  against  us  !  Records  of  neglect  and  an  imper- 
fect spirit  testify  to  the  want  of  zeal  and  love  in  the  service  of 
our  God — records  which  we  shall  not  be  able  to  meet  at  the 
judgment  seat  of  Christ,  uidess  tlic  pardoning  l)lood  of  tlic 
Saviour  shall  be  imputed  to  us  to  wash  their  guilt  away.  Let 
us  first  seek  for  grace,  to  enable  us  to  secure  to  ourselves  tlic 
cfHcacious  virtue  of  that  Ijlood,  and  then  let  us  arm  our  souls 
Avitli  faith,  and  so  warm  them  with  love — love  to  God  as  the 
effect  of  communion  with  liim  around  the  mercy  seat — that  in 
all  the  future  we  shall  be  enabled  to  abound  so  much  in  M'orks 


74  MEITOEIAL   SERMONS. 

of  righteousness,  as  to  "prove  our  title  clear  to  mansions  in 
the  skies."  "VVe  are  standing,  many  of  us,  on  the  borders  of 
Immamiel's  land.  We  can  almost  look  across  the  dark  vale, 
and  see  the  shining  hills  on  the  immortal  shores ;  we  can 
almost  hear  the  music  that  is  swelling  there,  as  they  sing  and 
are  joyful  in  God.  Let  the  thought  of  this  home  cheer  our 
spirits  amid  the  toils  of  the  way,  and  strengthen  us  to  run 
patiently  the  race  set  before  us,  looking  unto  Jesus,  the  author 
and  finisher  of  our  faith.  Oh  !  it  will  be  sweet  indeed  for  the 
weary  to  come  and  rest  "  on  Canaan's  calm  and  peaceful 
shore  ;"  and  before  another  twenty  years  have  run  their  course, 
many  who  are  here  now,  will  be  there.  Oh !  that  avo  might 
all  be  sure  of  coming  there  at  last.  Let  us  all  strive  so  to  live 
as  to  consummate  this  highest  good. 

And  now  may  the  God  of  peace,  that  brought  again  from 
the  dead  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  that  great  Shepherd  of  the 
sheep,  through  the  blood  of  the  everlasting  covenant  make  you 
perfect  in  every  good  word  and  work,  working  in  you  that 
which  is  well  pleasing  in  his  sight,  through  Jesus  Christ ;  to 
whom  be  glory  forever  and  ever.     Amen. 


THE    FIFTH   MEMOPJAL   SERMON. 

Pkeached  Oct.   1st,  1857. 

A     P  R  O  r  E  i;     A  X  D     PROFITABLE     R  E  M  K  M  B  R  A  N  C  E  . 
"  Call  to  remembrance  the  former  days." — II eb.  10  :  32. 

In  our  text,  this  reminiscence  of  tlio  past  is  referred  to  fc»r 
tlie  purpose  of  increasing  the  confidence  of  the  Hebrew 
C/hristians  in  the  favor  and  protection  of  God,  -wliile  suffering 
the  obloquy  and  persecution  of  their  enemies.  It  is  not,  there- 
fore, witli  the  same  design  that  we  propose  to  "  call  to  renieni- 
l)rance  former  days,"  for  we  have  had  no  such  oblocpiy  to 
meet,  and  no  such  afflictions  to  endure.  Our  reminiscences 
of  tlie  past  reveal  tnercy  and  not  judgment  j  and  we  have  more 
of  the  kindness  of  our  God  to  record  than  any  visitation  of 
his  anger  against  our  sins  to  acknowledge  or  to  deplore.  AVc 
can  truly  say,  "  Loving-kindness  and  tender  mercies  have  fol- 
lowed us  all  the  days  of  our  life,"  and  by  the  help  of  God  we 
continue  until  the  present  time  the  witnesses  of  his  long-suf- 
fering favor. 

This  is  the  twenty-iifth  anniversary  of  our  settlement  in  the 
pastoral  charge  of  this  congregation,  and  we  propose  to  im- 
prove it  by  a  special  recognition.  We  have  been  accustomed 
to  notice  this  event  at  intervals  of  five  years,  and  this  is  the 
fifth  anniversary.  For  a  quarter  of  a  century,  we  liave  stood 
in  this  place,  preaching  the  Gospel  of  the  grace  of  God  to  this 
congregation.  It  is  a  long  time  to  minister  to  one  people ; 
and  the  fact  of  the  pastoral  relation  having  continued  for  o 
many  years,  must  bring  up  to  view  many  things  worthy  to  be 
recollected  and  recorded.     It  is  bv  no  means  common,  in  this 


76  MEMORIAL   SERMONS. 

age  of  fickleness,  excitement,  and  perpetnally  recnrring  novel- 
ties, for  a  minister  and  his  peoj^le  to  continue  so  long  united. 
It  must  certainly  be  owing  as  mucli  to  your  steadfastness,  as 
it  can  be  to  my  faithfulness  and  earnestness  in  the  perform- 
ance of  my  duties.  Many  a  pastor,  more  faithful  than  I  have 
been,  has  been  rudely  discarded  and  dismissed  ;  while  not  a 
few  have  allowed  themselves  to  be  attracted  by  more  inviting 
fields,  or  the  prospect  of  less  onerous  service,  and  have  left 
their  people  to  mourn  !  I  feel,  therefore,  and  you  ought  also 
to  feel,  that  we  have  mutually  reason  to  thank  God,  not  only 
that  these  ties  have  not  been  sundered,  but  that  they  are, 
apparently,  more  lasting  and  tender  to-day  than  at  any  for- 
mer period  of  our  connection.  It  is  not  in  a  spirit  of  boasting 
that  I  call  you  to  witness  publicly  that  "  I  have  not  shunned 
to  declare  to  you  the  whole  counsel  of  God,"  and  that  I  have 
kept  back  nothing  of  all  that  I  have  been  taught,  either  of 
doctrine  or  of  practice,  as  essential  to  life  and  godliness  ;  and 
it  is  certainly  no  slight  commendation  of  your  Christian 
character  and  your  love  of  the  truth,  that  you  have  been 
willing  to  hear  it  all.  That  I  have  always  been  wise  in  the 
mode  and  time  of  utterance  is  more  than  I  feel  at  liberty  to 
claim,  but  whatever  faAlure  there  may  have  been  in  the  ex- 
hibition of  truth,  or  the  improvement  of  providential  dispensa- 
tion, your  charity  has  been  abundantly  willing  to  excuse  it. 
One  thing  I  w^ill  affirm,  that  I  have  never  intended,  by  per- 
sonal allusions,  to  wound  any  one  ;  nor  have  I  ever  left  the 
Gospel  to  preach  on  "  the  topics  of  the  day,"  or  to  favor  the 
peculiar  views  of  any  set  of  men,  on  politics  or  any  thing  else ; 
and  of  the  propriety  of  this  course  I  am  more  than  ever  con- 
vinced. I  might  have  gained  notoriety,  produced  excitement, 
and  been  lauded  by  certain  persons,  if  I  had  pursued  another 
course  ;  but  I  have  preferred  to  be  faithful  to  my  duty,  and 
to  honor  the  Gospel,  rather  than  seek  any  temporary  advantage 
or  ephemeral  eclat ! 

In  "  calling  to  remembrance  former  things,"  and  especially 
in  the  review  which  I  propose  to  take  of  the  last  five  years  of 
my  ministry  here,  there  are  both  trials  and  joys  which  claim 
notice.  Life  is  always  made  up  of  these  two  predominant 
tilements.     It  is  like  a  picture  composed  of  light  and  shade. 


MEMORIAL   SERMONS.  77 

Both  are  necessary  to  a  proper  and  proportionate  exlin)itIon 
of  the  objects  represented.  It  is  the  contrast  wliich  brings 
them  out  in  their  mutual  reLatiou  to  one  another,  and  shows 
their  dependence  and  connection.  I  begin,  then,  witli  some  of 
the  sad  memories  of  these  years.  How  can  we  ever  forget 
that  we  are  living  among  the  dying  ?  Death  is  always  stand- 
ing at  our  door,  waiting  the  permission  of  God's  providence  to 
enter  and  do  his  work  ;  and  if  he  has  not  found  admittance  into 
all  our  houses,  it  is  because  the  angel  of  the  covenant  has 
guarded  them  and  kept  the  entrance  closed.  Where  he  has 
come,  he  has  been  the  messenger  of  woe,  and  his  presence  has 
been  known  by  sorrow  and  tears.  In  this  respect  I  have  been 
no  more  favored  than  yourselves.  If  j^ou  have  carried  darlings 
to  the  tomb,  so  have  I ;  and  if  some  of  your  hearts  have  been 
painfully  tried  in  these  sad  bereavements,  so  has  mine.  An- 
other of  my  little  ones  sleeps  in  yonder  cemetery — and  the 
sorrow  came  in  an  unexpected  hour,  and  far  from  liome;  but 
shall  I  therefore  refuse  to  bless  God  and  bow  to  his  sovereign 
will  ?  I  can  not !  I  feel  thankful  that  anotlier  one  is  safe 
from  the  snares  of  sin  ;  that  I  have  anotlier  child  in  heaven  ; 
another  tie  to  bind  me  to  the  things  tliat  are  above  ;  anotlier 
motive  to  live  to  God  and  press  onward  to  that  glorious  prize 
which  is  set  before  us.  God  intends  these  things  for  our 
good  ;  he  tells  us  so,  and  that  is  enough  ! 

In  reviewing,  however,  the  progress  of  the  great  destroyer  in 
the  midst  of  us,  we  have  rather  occasion  for  tJicmlfalness  that 
he  has  removed  so  few,  than  any  real  cause  for  grief  on  ac- 
count of  those  who  have  been  called  and  taken.  Our  old  men, 
and  wise  men,  and  godly  men  are  most  of  them  spared  to  us  to 
enable  them  to  edify  the  church  a  little  longer  by  their  prayers 
and  example  !  Few  churches  can  boast  of  so  many.  Two  have 
numbered  more  tlian  fourscore  and  ten  years  ;  and  others  are 
approaching  fourscore  !  But,  while  we  notice  the  preservation 
of  the  fathers  as  occasions  of  thankfulness,  we  are  also  obliged 
to  record  with  regret  those  who  are  not.  Jolm  Garretson,  John 
Herder,  Frederick  Cox,  Peter  Tillman,  John  1).  Cannnan,  Isaac 
Uavis,  Christian  Miller,  Job  Squire,  and  Ferdinand  Yander- 
vcer  are  here  no  more  !  To  us  they  arc  not,  for  God  has  taken 
them.     Thcv  have  fullilled  the  duties  of  their  calling  in  the 


-  78  MEMOEIAL   SERMONS, 

clinrch  below,  and  are  united  with  the  church  above,  enjoying 
in  its  fullness  the  rich  grace  of  that  Saviour  whom  thej  pro- 
fessed before  men,  and  served  in  sincerity  all  the  days  of  their 
lives.  A  glorious  transition  it  is  indeed,  when  time  becomes 
eternity,  and  we  exchange  this  world  of  sorrow  and  sin  for  the 
bliss  of  heaven !  "With  what  wonder  and  gratitude  must  their 
eyes  have  opened  upon  the  splendors  of  the  Kew  Jerusalem, 
and  the  throne  of  the  great  King ;  and  with  what  rapture 
must  they  have  heard  the  songs  of  the  blessed  in  heaven !  No 
Avonder  that  the  apostle  felt  it  to  be  "  far  better  to  depart  and 
be  with  Christ."  I^o  wonder  that  the  saint,  when  heaven  in 
all  its  glory  and  rapture  opens  to  his  view,  longs  to  be  released, 
and  cries  out  in  his  anxiety  for  its  " hallowed  rest,"  "Come 
quiclvl}',  come,  Lord  Jesus!"  Oh!  that  it  may  be  so  with  us 
when  we  are  called  away  !  May  we  have  a  holy  calm  in  our 
liearts,  and  a  bright  hope  of  heavenly  fellowship  in  our  souls, 
and  the  eye  of  faith  piercing  completely  through  the  gloom  of 
the  narrow  vale  and  looking  upon  the  Canaan  beyond,  assuring 
us  that  there  are  the  mansions  of  rest  in  our  Father's  house 
waiting  for  us  !  We  shall  then,  indeed,  scarcely  "  feel  death's 
cold  embrace,"  while  "  Christ  is  in  our  arms"  and  our  souls 
are  borne  away  in  "  songs  of  most  surpassing  grace,"  up  to  the 
very  presence-chamber  of  the  Divine  Being  himself  !  It  is  a 
2)rimlege  to  die  when  we  can  so  calmly  breathe  our  spirits 
away  in  the  arms  of  Christ ! 

Kor  can  we  fail  to  speak  also  of  those  "  mothers  in  Israel," 
several  of  whom  have  now  been  kept  so  long,  by  increasing  infir- 
mities, from  the  house  of  God  and  from  the  communion-table. 
Under  a  weight  of  years  and  wasting  feebleness,  they  have 
been  still  able  to  maintain  a  strong  faith,  and  testify  habitu- 
ally of  the  goodness  of  the  Lord  in  the  land  of  the  living. 
Waiting  for  the  coming  of  the  Redeemer  to  release  them  from 
the  bonds  of  clay,  they  are  looking  with  anxious  expectation 
to  the  hour  of  their  departure,  "  hoping  in  the  mercy  of  our 
Lord  Jesus  Christ,"  and  prepared  to  hear  him  say,  "  Come  up 
higher  !'*  Tlie  mansions  in  our  Father's  house'are  prepared, 
and  a  seat  at  his  right  hand  waiting,  and  they  will  soon  go  to 
rest  in  it.  There  care  will  cease  and  sin  no  more  annoy, 
wliile  the  rapture  of  glory  fills  the  joyful  soul. 


MEMORIAL   SERMONS.  79 

Among  those  "  wlio  are  not,"  ^ve  may  mention  Mrs.  Cox, 
Mrs.  Toms,  Mrs.  Dollwer,  Mrs.  Yoorliees,  Mrs.  Conklin,  Mrs. 
Cooper,  Mrs.  Bangliam,  Mrs.  Doty,  Mrs.  Cammann,  Mrs. 
Yreedenburgli,  Mrs.  Yan  Yegliten,  Mrs.  A.  Yoorliees,  and  Mrs. 
P.  Yoorliees,  Mrs.  Garretson,  Mrs.  Quick — all "  godly  women," 
who  lived  by  faith  and  died  in  peace,  after  witnessing  a  good 
confession.  In  this  way,  while  the  number  of  our  cliurch  on 
earth  has  been  diminished,  the  number  of  the  church  in  heaveu 
has  been  increased.  We  have  lost,  but  they  have  gained. 
The  savor  of  their  holy  life,  and  the  encouragement  of  their 
exemplary  piety,  is  ours  no  more,  but  the  triumph  of  redeem- 
ing grace  in  sanctifying  and  perfecting  souls  for  heaven  has 
l)een  completed.  It  is  God  who  hath  wrought  all  this,  and 
therefore  it  is  not  for  us  to  complain.  Their  absence  from 
the  family  circle  has,  in  many  ways,  been  painfully  felt,  but 
their  joys  are  complete,  and  so  our  loss  is  their  gain.  Even 
their  ilesh  rests  in  hope,  waiting  the  sound  of  the  archangers 
trump  and  the  voice  of  God  to  wake  the  sleeping  dead,  and 
perfect  in  them  tlie  beauty  of  renovated  life ;  and  when  the 
morning  of  the  resurrection  dawns,  and  the  Prince  of  life 
claims  all  the  trophies  of  his  conquest,  they  will  appear  with 
him  in  glory  to  inlierit  the  rest  Avaiting  for  the  people  of 
God.  This  is  a  glorious  hope  indeed !  It  revives  the  courage 
of  the  saints  in  their  pilgrimage  of  sorrow,  and  sheds  its  light 
upon  the  soul  in  the  dying  hour.  All  God's  people  may  have 
the  comfort  of  it,  and,  like  the  apostle,  feel  that  "  to  die  is 
gain."  May  it  be  ours  when  we  see  the  dark  shadows 
gathering  around  our  last  day,  and  our  timd  farewells  are  t(,) 
be  said. 

Other  changes  have  resulted  from  the  force  of  circumstan- 
ces. Providence  has  called  some  of  our  members  to  other 
portions  of  the  vineyard,  and  they  have  been  honorably  dis- 
missed with  a  cheerful  benediction  ;  while  a  few  have  given 
preference  to  other  communions  in  our  immediate  vicinity,  and 
have  left  us.  One  tiling,  however,  'deserves  to  be  remarked, 
and  that  is  the  uniform  steadfastness  which  a  very  large  pro- 
portion of  those  who  have  been  received  into  fellowship  in 
this  church  have  manifested  for  it  in  their  permanent  attach- 
ment.    Discipline  is  rarely  necessary,  and  complaints  that  any 


80  MEMOEIAL   SERMONS. 

are  carried  away  by  otlier  "  winds  of  doctrine"  are  almost  en- 
tirely prevented.  In  so  large  a  communion  as  ours,  this  feature 
is  remarkable.  Divisions  are  unknoM'n.  Fends  are  discounte- 
nanced. Alienations  seldom  occur.  The  bonds  of  brotherhood 
and  sisterhood  are  too  strong  and  permanent  for  disruption. 
It  may  safely  be  stated  as  a  fact,  that  at  no  previous  time  in 
its  long  history  has  this  church  been  more  perfectly  of  one 
mind  than  at  this  moment.  This  is  a  cause  of  thankfulness 
and  encouragement,  and  presents  an  aspect  of  hopefulness  for 
the  future  which  it  is  delightful  to  contemplate.  If  it  shall 
continue,  we  may  hope  that  there  will  soon  be  experienced  a 
blessing  which  will  gladden  every  heart  that  loves  and  prays 
for  the  prosperity  of  Zion.  And.  why  shall  it  not  be  so  ?  "  Be- 
hold how  good  and  how  pleasant  it  is  for  brethren  to  dwell 
together  in  unity !"  A  united  church  is  a  strong  church.  The 
Holy  Spirit  is  a  spirit  of  peace,  and  loves  to  seal,  with  quicken- 
ing and  sanctifying  influences,  the  hearts  of  all  those  that  pray 
for  the  peace  of  Jerusalem  ! 

We  turn  noAV  to  consider  some  of  the  lights  which  enter  into 
the  picture  we  are  endeavoring  to  sketch.  The  past  live  years 
have  been  years  of  prosperity  to  our  beloved  church.  Prayer 
has  been  mercifully  answered,  and  converting  grace  bestowed 
in  numerous  instances.  "While  there  has  been  no  wide  and 
extended  revival  of  religion  to  gladden  us,  no  excitement 
which  has  moved  masses  and  affected  multitudes,  there  has 
been  what  is  more  desirable— a  constant,  a  pleasant,  and  a 
healthful  growth  in  the  church !  Not  one  communion  season 
has  passed  in  which  some  have  not  come  forward  to  take  upon 
themselves  the  vows  of  God,  and  attest  the  living  power  of 
the  Gospel.  This  is  one  of  the  most  remarkable  features  in 
our  history.  Few  churches  can  claim  such  remembrance 
before  God.  Few,  indeed,  are  so  highly  favored.  More  com- 
monly a  season  of  ingathering  is  succeeded  by  long  seasons  of 
barrenness,  in  which  aridity  and  death  prevail ;  but  upon  our 
heritage  the  dew  of  heaven  has  constantly  descended,  and 
every  year  has  been  fertilized  with  refreshing  influences,  and 
yielded  its  harvests ! 

The  whole  number  received  during  the  last  Ave  years  is  one 
hundred  and  twelve,  more  than  twenty  in  each  year.     Of  this 


MEMORIAL   SERMONS.  81 

miinber  seventy-nine  liave  made  confession  of  faith,  more  than 
sixteen  in  each  year ;  and  thirty-three  have  come  from  otlicr 
chnrclies.  This  increase,  notwithstanding  the  deaths  whicli 
have  occurred,  and  the  constant  pressure  upon  us  from  the 
organization  and  growth  of  new  churches  around  us,  lias  kept 
our  numbers  equal  to  what  they  have  ever  been  even  in  our 
most  prosperous  times ;  and  the  wdiole  number  in  communion 
to-day  is  only  three  less  than  it  has  been  at  any  time  when  the 
number  of  families  was  far  greater,  and  the  district  of  country 
embraced  by  the  congregation  much  larger;  while  there  are 
nearly  one  hundred  more  than  there  were  when  this  church 
stood  alone  and  included  all  the  professors  of  religion  in  this 
whole  region,  where  there  are  now  five  other  churches,  besides 
two  others  which  were  formed  imrtly  from  families  once  in 
connection  with  us.  If  we  had  ever  been  disposed  to  give  way 
to  despondency,  this  would  forbid  it.  If  we  had  ever  feared  that 
the  Lord  might  withdraw  his  favor  from  us,  this  would  dispel 
it.  But  we  have  not  been  disheartened.  We  have  seen  no 
reason  to  be  !  In  all  our  losses  we  have  recognized  the  hand 
of  providence,  and  been  prepared  to  bid  those  God-speed  who 
"  went  out  from  us,"  to  prepare  for  themselves  a  more  con- 
venient place  in  which  to  worship  and  enjoy  the  instruction  of 
the  Gospel. 

The  largest  number  added  to  the  church  in  any  one  of  the 
last  five  years  was  thirty-two,  and  the  smallest  eighteen.  And 
this  again  is  remarkable — remarkable  as  an  evidence  of  the 
special  favor  and  blessing  of  God.  In  how  many  places  are 
there  barren  years  %  In  how  many  are  they  re])eated  until 
hope  is  well-nigh  wearied  out !  Many  churches  think  they 
are  favored  in  welcoming  two  or  three  to  their  connnunion, 
and  they  are  right.  It  is  a  great  blessing — it  is  a  sufficient 
blessing — to  encourage  eflbrt,  when  only  one  sinner  is  con- 
verted to  God.  But  our  covenant-keeping  God,  in  his  kind- 
ness to  us,  has  enabled  us  to  reckon  our  increase  by  the  score ! 
It  is  to  be  recognized  as  a  memorial  of  his  faithfulness,  and  not 
gloried  in  on  account  of  any  thing  we  have  done  !  The  truth 
is,  this  is  evidently  holy  ground.  These  altai-s  where  wo 
worship  have  been  hallowed  by  the  prayers  of  so  many  good 
raen,  who  have  stood  here  before  us,  to  proclaim  '"the  un- 


82  MEMORIAL   SERMONS. 

searchable  riches  of  Christ,"  tliat  the  Holy  Spirit  seems  to  de- 
light to  linger  around  them,  shedding  down  his  choicest  in- 
fluences upon  the  dispensation  of  his  holy  word,  and  working 
in  humble  and  penitent  hearts  his  richest  gifts  and  graces.  If 
it  is  true  that  "wherever  he  records  his  name,  that  is  Zion, 
there  he  dwells,"  how  much  more  must  it  be  true  that  he  de- 
lights to  be  where  he  pours  down  in  perpetual  streams  the 
influences  of  his  grace  and  love,  to  convert  sinners  and  edify 
the  people  of  God.  It  is  a  privilege  indeed  for  the  church  to 
liave  such  an  inheritance  of  perpetual  blessing  in  the  faith 
and  prayers  of  those  who  have  labored  for  her  good,  and 
prepared  for  heaven  in  her  communion.  It  will  redound  to  her 
future  increase  and  her  perpetual  prosperity.  The  prayer  that 
is  laid  up  before  God  and  waits  an  answer  is  just  as  valuable 
and  just  as  Aveighty  as  that  which  is  now  daily  ascending  u]> 
before  him  from  the  assemblies  of  his  saints.  They  are  both 
memorials  which  his  people  have  presented,  and  which  he 
stands  pledged  to  recognize  and  answer,  by  His  covenant  en- 
gagements. His  faithfulness  in  either  it  is  not  right  to  doubt ; 
and  he  will  make  this  manifest  in  his  own  time !  Think, 
then,  how  much  future  good  there  must  be  in  store  for  us ; 
how  much  we  owe  to  the  piety  of  those  holy  men  and  women, 
Avho  in  past  years  have  borne  this  church  in  all  its  interests  so 
faithfully  and  so  frequently  before  the  throne  of  grace  ;  and 
how  confldent  Ave  should  be  that,  in  days  to  come,  the  Lord 
Avill  remember  his  covenant,  and  send  the  early  and  latter 
rain  in  its  season,  multiplying  the  plants  in  his  vineyard,  and 
making  those  flourishing  and  green  which  are  already  planted 
there  !  Certainly  there  are  days  of  blessing  in  store  for  this 
church,  and  whether  I  shall  minister  here,  or  another,  they  w^ill 
come  and  be  enjoyed ;  and  those  who  see  them  will  be  glad 
and  rejoice  in  beholding  the  right  hand  of  the  Lord. 

Every  year  that  I  live  and  labor  as  a  minister  increases  my 
conviction  of  our  absolute  dependence  upon  the  influence  of  the 
Holy  Ghost,  to  give  the  word  eflicacy  and  to  convert  sinners. 
Every  year  that  I  live  convinces  me  more  and  more,  not  of 
the  vanity  only,  but  also  of  the  mischievousiiess,  of  all  contri- 
vances, measures,  and  plans  w^hich  look  more  to  a  human 
ao-ency  than  to  one  that  is  divine,  in  carrying  forward  the' 


MEMORIAL   SERMONS.  83 

work  of  the  cliurcli.  It  is  of  God,  of  God  absolutely,  to  in-- 
clirie  us  "  to  vu'dl  and  to  do,  of  his  own  good  pleasure."' 
•'  Every  good  and  every  perfect  gift  cometh  down  from  tlie 
Father  of  lights  ;"  and  our  hope  and  confidence  in  their  con- 
tinuance is,  that  "  with  iiim  there  is  no  variableness,  nor  any 
shadow  of  turning."  Prayer  has  prevailed  in  the  world  ;  it  has 
prevailed  in  securing  blessings  of  a  most  extraordinary  charac- 
ter, and  of  a  most  gracious  efficiency  upon  this  very  church  ; 
and  prayer  has  lost  none  of  its  power.  It  can  be  employed 
with  tlie  same  success  and  effect  now,  and  in  all  our  future 
exigencies,  that  it  has  been  in  the  past.  Tliis  is  certain.  "  The 
effectual  and  fervent  prayer  of  a  righteous  man  ever  availeth 
much."  It  ever  lias  been  so  ;  it  ever  will  be  so  ;  and  we  must 
reinember  this,  and  engage  our  hearts  constantly  and  fervently 
in  pleading  with  God.  This  church  has  lived  in  prayer,  been 
built  up  and  rendered  prosperous  by  prayer ;  and  in  the  future 
can  only  be  preserved  by  its  continuance.  Tlie  ricliest  inheri- 
tance that  God  has  given  to  it — and  he  has  given  it  much — is  to 
be  found  in  the  prayers  of  those  godly  men  and  women  who 
have  loved  this  Zion,  and  so  earnestly  sought  her  good  !  We 
thank  his  grace  that  there  are  so  many ;  and  we  value  their 
power  before  the  throne  more  than  all  the  wealth  and  worldly 
influence  that  others  have  brought  to  her,  or  may  hereafter 
bring !  Tliese  have  their  appropriate  spheres,  and  are  not  to 
be  despised ;  the  other  is  an  absolute  necessity  which  no  cliurch 
can  do  without  and  eminently  prosper. 

It  would  not  be  proper  that  I  should  pass  in  silence  over  the 
kind  leave  of  absence  which  was  extended  to  me  by  the  con- 
sistory and  members  of  this  church  in  the  summer  of  ISS-l,  which 
enabled  me  to  see  "  foreign  lands,"  and  to  refresh  mind  and 
l)ody  with  travel,  or  the  pecuniary  assistance  which  was  offered 
on  that  occasion.  I  have  never  regretted  tlie  time  or  the 
money  expended  for  that  purpose;  on  the  contrary,  I  tliiuk 
the  only  mistake  was  in  not  doing  it  sooner.  You  would  then 
have  experienced  the  benefit  of  it  earlier  as  well  as  myself. 
There  is  an  enlargement  of  mind,  a  correction  of  misappre- 
hensions, a  realization  of  things  both  of  interest  and  imjwr- 
tance ;  an  understanding  of  history,  and  a  conception  of  men 
and  governments,  resulting  from  such  a  tour,  which  can  be 


84  MEMORIAL   SERMONS. 

acquired  in  no  other  way.  I  feel  that  now  I  know  things 
Avjiich  I  never  could  have  known — know  them  as  1  could  not 
liave  conceived  of  them,  but  from  actual  sight  and  acquain- 
tance. History  is  to  me  a  new  world ;  pomp  and  power  and 
royalty  more  vain  than  ever.  After  having  sat .  down  upon 
the  thrones  of  half  the  kings  of  Europe,  and  done  it  probably 
Avitli  quite  as  much  comfort  as  they  ever  did  themselves,  it 
seems  to  me  a  small  thing  to  he  a  king,  but  a  high  and  noble 
one  to  be  2ifree  Tnan,  the  citizen  of  a  free  land.,  where  every 
one  is  a  sovereign — and  so  more  than  a  king — in  his  own  sphere 
of  action ;  for  many  of  them  live  in  sad  trepidation,  and  are 
more  enslaved  than  the  very  people  whom  they  so  much 
oppress.  It  is  a  miserable  system  in  every  way,  tliis  absolute 
power.  I  have  brought  home  with  me  convictions  in  regard 
to  our  Protestantism,  our  free  Bible  church,  in  its  connection 
Avith  our  civil  rights  and  the  preservation  of  our  political  in- 
stitutions, which  I  could  not  have  had  but  for  what  I  have 
seen  abroad.  I  feel  that  in  having  here  "  a  church  without  a 
bishop,  and  a  state  without  a  king,"  we  have  a  boon  granted, 
by  the  ftivor  of  God,  to  no  one  else ;  and  I  am  afraid  when  any 
one  proposes  to  bring  the  first  one  in,  for  I  know  so  well  liow 
soon  and  how  certainly  he  will  in  his  turn  help  to  bring  in  the 
second !  I  have  no  patience  with  those  who  propagate  among  us 
the  customs  and  opinions  of  the  Old  World,  I  care  not  whether 
they  be  political  or  religious.  It  oifends  me  to  hear  our  in- 
stitutions lightly  spoken  of  and  undervalued ;  and  I  can  not 
lielp  thinking  that  any  man  Avho  allows  himself,  on  any 
account,  or  in  connection  with  any  subject  which  he  may  be 
discussing,  even  by  implication,  to  say  that  the  blessed  union 
of  these  free  States  can  ever  be  annulled,  ought  to  be  publicly 
reprimanded,  if  not  punished ;  and  I  do  not  care  who  lie  is, 
or  in  what  connection,  or  for  what  end,  he  may  commit  the 
offense.  There  are  some  things  too  sacred  to  be  touched  ; 
some  too  important  to  be  questioned ;  some  which  we  guard 
with  such  tenderness  that  we  will  not  allow  any  one  even  to 
approach  them  ;  and  this  to  me  is  such  a  one !  Now,  this  I  can 
not  help,  after  what  I  have  seen  ;  for  I  think  at  once  of  the  op- 
pressed peoples  of  the  Old  World.  There  I  realized,  for  the  first 
time,  how  low  this  glorious  image  of  God  impressed  upon  man 


MEMOKIAL    SERMON.^.  85 

can  be  degraded  I  How  vile  tlii.-  beiiiij:;,  made  in  tliat  imago,  can 
l>e  rendered!  I  have  seen  men  -wlio  seemed  to  liave  bnt  little 
more  self-respect  tlian  brutes,  and  but  little  more  ambitioii 
than  a  Avorni ;  and  I  have  seen  who  made  them  so — the  king, 
the  noble,  the  ])riest !  And  how  do  thej  keep  them  so  ?  I>y 
l-<'i'p'uh(j  them  diculed.  AV'hat  could  not  Italy — poor  priest- 
I'idden  Italy  I — do  to-day  if  she  was  only  united?  And  Ger- 
many, that  noble,  beantif  111.  and  mighty  land,  full  of  strong  men 
aiul  great  thinkers,  how  is  Ciermany  kept  under  that  galling 
yoke,  and  almost  the  last  drop  of  her  blood  sucked  out  of  her 
veins  by  a  horde  of  petty  little  princes,  so  despicable  for  their 
Avantof  maidiood,tliat  if  we  had  them  here  we  would  spit  upon 
them  and  spurn  them  from  our  streets  !  Germany  is  di\ided  ; 
Germany  is  just  what  we  will  be  if  our  Union  is  ever  broken, 
and  this  comes  to  be  a  divided  countr}',  nnule  up  of  separate 
states  with  separate  and  conflicting  interests.  I  know  I  am 
approachiug  things  which  are  considered  to  belong  to  other 
men,  and  to  other  connections  ;  but  upon  this  subject  I  will 
not  be  silent.  It  is  vital  to  every  thing!  It  is  the  keystone 
to  the  whole  arch.  Tak'c  it  away,  and  the  whole  building  be- 
comes a  mass  of  ruins.  Our  state  not  only,  but  our  churches, 
would  soon  fail ;  and  as  long  as  I  hav^e  breath  I  will  protest 
against  this  worse  than  suicide,  and  brand  every  man  as  a 
trmtov  who  fjivors  it.  These  pleasant  Sabbaths  Avhicli  w(; 
now  so  much  enjoy ;  these  blessed  spiritual  intiuences,  under 
the  culture  of  which  our  souls  are  rij^ening  for  heaven;  this 
ivstraining  sense  of  religious  obligation,  Avhich  guards  our 
children  from  the  seducticuis  of  vice;  these  peaceful  family 
circles,  in  whicli  religion  difiuses  its  hallowed  control — I  can 
iu)t  see  them  destroyed ;  they  would  all  be  if  such  a  thiui:; 
should  happen.  Our  free  commerce,  and  onr  personal  libertv 
to  go  and  come  as  we  please,  would  likewise  have  an  end,  and 
even  our  life  itself  would  hardly  i-ctaiu  any  thiii^-  worth 
naming  enjoyment;  and  for  me  to  stand  by  and  see  the  wav 
prepared  for  it  all,  in  silence,  is  more  than  I  can  do  ! 

There  is  a  hecuity  which  to  be  known  must  be  seen,  for  it 
can  not  be  described  ;  and  there  is  pleasure  which,  to  be  felt, 
must  be  realized,  or  a  sense  of  it  can  not  be  brought  home  to 
the  mind.     So  there  ai'c  delicate  acts  of  kindness,  a  thouirhtful 


86  .AlEMOPJAL    SEJmOXS. 

(onsideration  for  tli3  feslings  of  others,  a  wakeful  attention  to 
their  Avants,  a  deference  to  their  opinions  and  sentiments,  to 
their  trials  and  griefs,  which  is  to  be  experienced  in  order  to 
he  known,  for  it  can  not  be  written  or  spoken!  How  much 
of  this,  liow  timely,  how  affectionate  it  has  been,  and  how 
often  repeated  on  the  part  of  many  of  my  people,  I  can  not 
exhibit  in  any  sensible  v/ay.  But  it  is  treasm-ed  np  in  my 
hearU  and  memory  will  love  to  recall  it  and  dwell  npon  it, 
nntil  death  comes  and  silences  its  pulsations  and  chills  up  the 
fountain  of  its  emotions !  Every  tiling^  it  is  true,  has  not  heen 
of  this  character,  and  the  conduct  oi  every  one  has  not  been  so 
considerate  and  tender  toward  me ;  bnt  as  we  live  to  err  we 
should  also  live  to  forgive ;  and  when  I  come  to  review  the  whole 
of  my  personal  intercourse  with  my  people,  I  can  not  but  feel 
thankful  that  there  has  been  so  little  that  I  could  even  wish 
had  been  otherwise  !  When  I  look  over  the  audience  which 
assembles  before  me  on  the  Sabbath  morning,  they  are  all  my 
friends.  I  feel  I  could  trust  them  all  with  my  welfare  and 
my  most  treasured  sentiments,  Avithout  any  distrust.  This  is 
no  small  comfort.  It  has  a  tendency  to  warm  my  heart  when 
I  am  engaged  in  speaking  to  them  the  words  of  life.  It  draws 
out  yearning  and  earnest  desires,  when  I  bear  their  interests 
up  before  the  mercy-seat.  It  gives  importunity  to  my  plead- 
ing's that  they  would  be  wise  and  consider  their  latter  end. 
The  comfort  of  it  is  mine,  but  the  benefit  is  theirs.  It  is  just 
as  it  should  be,  for  it  helps  me  to  preach  to  them,  to  pray  for 
them,  and  to  labor  to  do  them  good.  It  makes  my  whole 
effort  in  study  and  in  preaching  an  offering  of  affection  !  I 
could  not  have  done  what  I  have,  had  it  been  otherwise  ;  and 
when  it  ceases,  I  shall  be  content  to  cease  to  preach  to  them 
or  to  pray  for  them ! 

Twenty-five  years — a  quarter  of  a  centmy !  It  is  a  long- 
time for  any  man  to  stand  before  any  people  and  preach  to 
them.  Think  what  it  implies :  2600  sermons,  1300  lectures, 
half  as  many  catechizings ;  besides  the  funerals  which  have 
been  attended,  the  sick-beds  visited,  the  affiictod  comforted, 
the  anxious  instructed,  the  erring  reclaimed  !  And  you  have 
always  come  here  on  the  morning  of  the  Sabbath  expecting 
to  hear  things  new  rather  than  old,  things  to   edify,  instruct. 


MEMORIAL    SERMOXS.  37 

uud  comfort  you.  If  3'ou  ]i:ivc  been  sonietimes  disappointed, 
there  is  certainly  nothing  strange  in  that,  it  might  easily 
have  been  far  more  frequent !  "  Who  is  sufficient  for  these 
things?"  Are  the  treasures  of  the  mind  never  to  be  ex- 
hausted? ,Can  any  liuman  soul  be  always  so  fresh  and 
active  and  self-renewing  as  to  be  proof  against  weariness 
and  a  perpetual  taxing  of  its  powers  ?  Let  me  warn  you  not 
to  expect  too  much.  There  is  a  limit  to  every  thing — to  know- 
ledge, to  thought,  to  fancy,  to  feeling ! 

In  these  twenty -five  years  you  have  had  presented  to  }'ou  m\- 
best  thoughts,  my  most  strenuous  efforts — the  cream  of  my 
life  !  What  I  have  done  has  been  done  cheerfully,  and  from 
a  sense  of  duty.  It  has  been  done  earnestly  and  for  your 
good  ;  and,  on  a  review  of  it,  I  may  say  without  disguise,  "  I 
have  done  what  I  could  !"  I  have  been  honest  and  earnest  in 
the  efforts  which  I  have  made  to  instruct  and  edify  all  M'ho 
have  waited  on  my  ministry,  and  I  can  not  do  any  thiu"- 
more  or  better  than  this  in  the  future. 

And  now,  as  to  tln&  future,  I  can  not  toll  what  Providence 
maj  direct.  But  one  thing  I  do  know,  I  shall  be  willing  to 
stay,  or  willing  to  go,  whenever  and  Avherever  the  path  of 
duty  may  be  made  clear.  If  there  is  one  feeling  which  grows 
stronger  and  stronger  every  day  in  my  consciousness,  it  is 
that  I  am  not  my  own — that  I  can  not  devise  iny  own  wavs, 
nor  tell  wliat  a  day  may  bring  forth.  I  see  a  sj^ecial  guiding 
Providence  in  }nj  beiug  here  to-day,  and,  seeing  it,  I  am  con- 
tent !  What  he  points  out  to  me,  I  mean  to  do  ;  -where  he 
directs,  I  mean  to  stay  ;  and  when  he  calls  me,  I  mean  to  go  ! 
More  than  e\'er  can  I  say,  "  O  God  I  do  thou  thy  will :  I  will 
be  still,  I  will  not  stir  !" 

I  have  many  pleasant  thoughts  to-day.  I  look  around  and 
see  here  a  multitude  whom  I  claim  as  my  cliihh'on,  and  the 
seals  of  my  ministry  !  and  indeed  there  is  not  a  small  number.. 
They  are  not  all  here,  for  some  have  already  "  been  taken  uj) 
higher,'''  and  are  •'entered  into  their  rest,''  and  some  have  re- 
moved to  other  places  ;  l)ut  if  they  wore  all  here,  there  Avould  lie 
some  three  hundred  and  twenty  all  told — almost  a  congregation 
in  themselves.  Ihit  there  are  enough  to  give  tone  and  senti- 
ment to  the   church;  and   should  I  not  feid  safe  witli  thi'Ut 


88  MEMORIAL   SER]\[ONS, 

— a  freedom  to  s])cak  to  them,  and  an  assurance  of  kind  con- 
sideration and  affection  ?  I  do  feel  it.  1  liave  a  right  to  feel 
it !  I  know  their  hearts  and  I  confide  in  them  !  I  wonld  be 
asliamed  if  I  did  not  do  it,  sorely  grieved  if  one  of  them 
shonld  fail  me  ! 

I  liave  a  word  to  tliem  to-daj.  I  speak  to  them  as  children, 
and  I  say,  "  See  that  ye  walk  worthy  of  the  vocation  where- 
M'ith  ye  are  called."  I  rejoice  in  your  piety  and  devotion  to 
the  cause  of  Christ,  In  your  attachment  to  this  church,  its 
doctrines  and  its  ordinances;  in  the  prayers  which  I  know 
you  are  constantly  putting  up  before  the  throne  of  grace,  for 
its  prosperity  and  for  me  its  pastor!  The  assurance  that  I 
liave  those  i)rayers  strengthens  me.  I  feel  honored  in  the  high 
tone  of  piety  which  many  of  you  manifest,  and  in  your  zeal 
in  the  cause  of  the  blessed  Master.  "  Ye  are  our  epistle,  known 
and  read  of  all  men  ;"  and  Avhilc  you  prosper  and  increase  in 
sanctification  we  shall  rejoice. 

Those  who  do  not  stand  in  this  tender  relation  to  me,  I 
know  will  excuse  this  special  reference.  It  is  not  intended  to 
imply  that  no  others  have  the  same  confidence,  or  inspire  the 
same  feelings ;  for  to  many  of  them  I  sustain  the  most  intimate 
connection.  jSTo  one  ever  thinks  of  reproaching  a  parent  be- 
cause he  best  loves  his  children,  nor  does  he  feel  neglected  in 
the  expression  of  that  love.  It  is  so  Jiere.  To  my  own  children 
in  the  faith  I  can  not  but  feel  special  attachment,  and  express 
in  them  the  fullest  confidence;  and  I  know  it  will  never,  in 
any  number  of  instances,  be  betrayed  I 

And  there  are  others  still:  how  shall  I  speak  of  them  ?  and 
what  shall  I  say  ?  I  have  said  all  that  it  is  possible  for  ]ue 
to  say,  and  all  that  I  know  to  say  ;  and  I  have  repeated  it 
many  times,  and  they  have  heard  it ;  and  yet,  alas  !  they  have 
not  been  properly  affected !  The  harvest  is  past,  the  sum- 
mer is  ended,  and  thej^  are  not  saved  !  For  a  quarter  of  a 
century  they  have  sat  almost  every  Sabbath  under  the  instruc- 
tion of  the  divine  word,  and  the  dews  of  divine  grace,  and 
yet  it  has  not  been  enough!  They  are  yet  in  their  sins  ;  and 
the  most  gloomy  thought  of  all  is,  they  have  not  seen  or  felt 
the  necessity  of  Hying  for  refuge  from  them  to  Christ's  aton- 
ing blood  !     Twenty-five  years  of  waiting  and  ]iaticnce,  on  the 


ME-MOUIAL   SEllMO^;S,  89 

part  of  a  aTacious  Saviour  1  Twenty-five  years  of  importunate 
pleading  on  tlie  part  of  their  pastor,  lias  not  sufficed  to  ovei-- 
conie  their  unbelief  and  carnal  pride!  AYhat,  then,  will 
suffice  ?  How  much  longer  will  the  patience  and  forbearance 
of  God  extend  themselves  ?  It  seems  to  me  there  is  every 
thing  to  alarm  them,  to  arouse  them,  to  impel  them,  now  "  to 
attend  to  the  things  which  belong  to  their  peace."  I  can  do  no 
more.  I  take  you  all  here  to  witness  this  day  that  I  am  free 
ii-om  the  blood  of  their  souls,  "  for  I  have  not  forborne  to  de- 
clare to  them  the  whole  counsel  of  God.''  It  is  not,  surel,y. 
ignorance  that  tliey  can  plead,  for  the  Avay  of  life  has  been 
fullv  set  before  them,  in  all  the  amplitude  of  its  provisions, 
and  all  the  graciousness  of  its  invitations  I     What  is  it,  then  'i 

And  there  is  yet  another  portion  whom  I  see  around  me 
here,  of  Avhom  it  may  be  said,  that  if  the  former  are  almost 
hopeless  in  their  long  delay,  they  are  hopeful  in  their  early 
life,  for  upon  them  is  now  the  dew  of  youth.  Many  of  them 
have  grown  up  here  as  plants  in  the  ^•ineyal•d.  Their  parents 
dedicated  them  to  God  before  these  altars,  and  the  emblema- 
tic water  of  regeneration  was  sprinkled  upon  their  foreheads. 
They  have  been  trained  in  our  Sabbath-schools  and  cateche- 
tical classes,  and  are  Avell  instructed  in  all  the  great  doctrines 
of  the  Christian  religiort.  The)'  stand,  not  only  in  a  position 
of  privilege,  but  also  in  a  relation  to  this  church,  which  is 
very  solemn  and  affecting.  We  hope  great  things  from  their 
future — -hope  to  welcome  them  to  the  communion  of  Cbrist's 
little  ones,  and  then  to  see  them  maturing  for  heaven,  and 
spreading  all  arouiul  them  the  savor  of  their  holy  life  and 
pious  conversation  !  In  the  ardor  of  our  love,  and  the  earnest- 
ness of  our  desire  for  their  growth  in  grace,  we  now  ^'com- 
mend tliem  to  God  and  to  the  word  of  his  grace,  which  is 
al)le  to  sanctify  them  and  ]>resent  them  before  the  throne  of 
his  power  with  exceeding  glory  !" 

And  now,  another  volume  of  our  life-history  is  closed,  and 
a  new  one  opens  to-day.  It  is,  to  all  of  us,  a  matter  of  momen- 
tous concern  that  it  should  only  be  filled  with  such  records  as 
we  shall  be  willing  to  meet  when  we  stand  before  God,  to  "  be 
judged  for  the  deeds  done  in  the  body."  To  the  consistory 
of  this  church  we  say,  "  Study  such  things  as  make  for  peace, 


00  MEMORIAL   SEBMOXS, 

and  tend  to  edify  tlie  body  of  Christ,  Be  examples  to  tlie 
flock  over  which  jou  have  been  placed,  in  prayer,  in  faith,  in 
(.'liarity  ;  de^'ise  liberal  thing-s,  and  Avork  faithfully  in  yonr 
calling !"  To  the  members  of  the  church  Ave  say,  Live  to- 
gether in  peace ;  love  one  another  sincerely ;  pray  for  the 
church,  its  pastor,  and  communicants.  Hold  not  back  your 
hand  from  any  thing  that  is  good.  '•'  Be  sober,  be  diligent, 
and  in  due  time  you  Avill  reap,  if  you  faint  not !" 

To  the  congregation,  young  and  old,  I  say.  Wait  here  faith- 
fully on  the  means  of  grace,  and  be  diligent  in  the  hearing  of 
Clod's  Avord.  Stndy  to  approve  yonrselvcs  to  him,  and  prc- 
])are  to  meet  him  in  judgment.  ''  The  faithful  and  obedient 
sludl  eat  the  fruit  of  the  land  !"  And  noNA^,  "  May  the  God  of 
])(?ace,  that  bronght  again  from  the  dead  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  that  great  Shepherd  of  the  sheep,  through  the  blood  of 
the  everlasting  coA^enant,  make  yon  perfect  in  every  goodAvork 
to  do  his  Avill,  Avorking  in  you  that  Avhicli  is  Avell  pleasing  in 
Tlis  sight,  tlu'ongh  Jesus  Christ,  to  Avhom  bo  g'lory  forever 
and  ever."     Amen. 

Someua'iij.t:,  X.  J.,  October  1st,  1857. 


THE    SIXTH  MEMORIAL   SEP.MO]^. 

PiiEACiiED  O.rr.  23t:i,  1852. 

THE    UEIIE.UISAL    OF    THE    PAST    FOR    IXSTRIJCTION'. 

"  Hear  this,  ye  old  men,  aa;I  give  oar.  all  ye  inliabitauts  of  tlie  land.  Tell 
ye  your  cUiklren  of  it,  and  let  your  cliildreu  tell  their  chihlren,  and  their 
children  another  generation." — Joel  1  :  2-3. 

"  We  have  heard  -with  our  ear^;,  0  God,  oar  fathers  hav(!  told  u.>,  what 
things  thou  didst  of  old." — Psalm  41 :  1. 

"  And  when  they  were  come,  and  had  gathered  the  church  together,  they 
rehearsed  all  that  (Jod  had  done  with  them." — Acts  14  :  27. 

Tins  laiiiijuagG  is  a  sufficient  warrant  for  tlie  service  v^'liieh 
"WO  propose  to  observe  to-claj.  The  circuuistance  that  tliese 
were  jadgnients  wliicli  the  prophet  commanded  to  be  kept  in 
memorial,  offers  no  real  ar^'ument  against,  but  ratlier  increases 
and  intensiiies  the  significance  of  tlie  direction  in  our  text. 
In  point  of  fact,  tliere  is  much  in  God's  providence  every  day, 
which  it  would  be  instructive  to  remember,  and  we  should  be 
all  wiser  if  we  treasured  up  more  carefully  the  teachings  of 
the  divine  hand.  The  years  repeat  themselves  ;  and  though 
not  in  such  an  unvaried  succession  as  to  make  one  in  all  re- 
spects the  pattern  of  the  other,  yet  with  so  much  sameness  as 
to  give  occasion  to  the  observation  of  the  Avise  nnin,  "  The  thing 
that  hath  been,  it  is  that  which  shall  be;  and  that  whicli  is 
done,  is  that  which  shall  be  done  ;  and  tliere  is  no  new  thing 
"under  the  sun." 

The  most  careful  observer  <_>£  providence,  if  this  be  true,  is 
likely  to  bo  the  one  Avho  is  best  pre[)ared  for  its  events,  and 
the  least  surprised  eitlier  1)y  judgments  or  mercies ;  for  if  he 
"understands  its  nature,  ho  will  anticipate  both  and  know  that 
neither  the  one  nor  the  other  is  likely  to  continue  "svitliout 
change. 

Memorials  are  useful  as  reminders  of  what  has  been.     When 


02  3ik:mchial  sermox^. 

tlio  Israelites  had  safely  crossed  over  Jordan,  "  Joslma  took 
twelve  stones  out  of  the  waters,  and  pitched  them  in  Gilgal " 
as  a  nionnment  in  coninienioration  of  that  event,  and  said, 
''  When  yonr  children  ask  their  fathers,  in  time  to  come,  "What 
mean  these  stones?  then  vc  shall  let  yonr  children  know,  say- 
inp:,  Israel  came  over  this  Jordan  on  dry  land,  for  the  Lord 
yonr  (lud  dried  np  the  M^aters  of  Jordan  from  hefore  yon,nntil 
ye  "were  passed  over,  as  the  Lord  yonr  God  did  the  Red  Sea, 
which  ho  dried  np  hefore  us,  until  v»'e  were  j^one  over." 

In  the  same  way  Moses  had  before  directed,  in  reference  to 
the  passover,  "When  your  children  shall  ask.  What  mean  ye  by 
this  service  ?  ye  shall  say.  It  is  the  sacrifice  of  the  Lord's 
passover,  who  passed  over  the  houses  of  the  childreu  of  Israel 
in  Egypt  when  he  slew  the  Egyptians."  In  both  instances 
remembrance  is  enjoined,  and  a  memorial  provided  for.  This 
is  Avhat  we  are  now  intending  to  do.  It  may  be  an  humble 
imitation,  but  it  can  not  be  said  to  be  without  warrant.  We 
]nay  compare  small  things  with  great,  but  it  can  not  be  afhrmed 
that  the  great  things  are  not  found  in  the  Scriptures  with 
which  we  seek  comparison  and  plead  as  our  warrant. 

Let  us  then  proceed  to  "  gather  the  stones"  out  of  which 
we  shall  endeavor  to  compose  our  monument  to-day.  It  is  a 
memorial  Sabbath,  and  to  us  it  is  a  most  interesting,  not  only, 
but  a  most  important  period,  in  the  history  of  our  ministerial 
life.  It  reminds  us  of  a  whole  generation,  most  of  whom  are 
no  more,  and  recalls  the  various  vicissitudes  of  its  passing- 
years. 

To-day  it  is  thirty  years  since  I  came  here  in  obedience  to 
the  call  of  your  fathers  (for  there  are  only  a  few  left  who 
united  with  them  in  that  act)  and  occupied  this  pulpit  for  the 
iirst  time  ;  and  to-day  likewise  is  the  sixth  anniversary  of  the 
,f(/'i/i  year,s  which  we  have  been  accustomed  to  observe  in  com- 
memoration of  that  event.  The  records  of  live  of  these  ])eriods 
have  previously  been  made,  and  four  of  them  have  been  printed 
and  are  in  your  hands.  We  do  iiot  propose  to  repeat  any 
thing  which  has  already  been  remarked,  but  to  confine  our- 
selves to  present  circumstances,  and  principallj^  to  the  last 
period  of  five  years.  Tliere  is  more  than  enough,  even  in  this 
confined  view  and  this  brief  time,  to  occupy  us  fully  and  in- 


MEMORIAL   SEliMON^.  93 

terest  us  abimdantly.  In  many  ways  these  years  liavc  been 
memorable  and  pregnant  years.  Events  liavc  passed  wliicb 
will  iiever  be  forgotten;  some  of  tliem  joyful,  and  demanding 
praise  ;  some  sorrowful,  and  calling  fur  resignation  and  the 
exercise  of  faith  in  the  benevolence  and  justice  of  the  divine 
hand ! 

Thirty  years  is  a  generation.  At  its  conclusion,  those  who 
were  the  men  of  action  when  it  connnenced  are  nmnbered 
among  the  dead,  while  another  race  has  come  upon  tlie  stage, 
assumed  the  control  of  things,  and  holds  tlie  place  tjf  inliuencc 
and  power!  This  is  strikingly  manifested  in  the  audience 
which  sits  before  me  to-day,  as  compared  with  that  which  as- 
sembled to  listen  to  my  lirst  discourse  thirty  years  ago.  A 
few  are  left,  it  is  true.  I  see  here  and  there  one  whom  I  re- 
member as  being  present  on  that  occasion,  but  the  nundjcr  is 
so  small  as  to  make  them  exceptions  to  the  general  rule,  rather 
than  facts  to  prove  tlnit  it  is  not  true.  We  look  around  on 
tlie  new  faces,  and  exclaim  in  sadness  and  regret  as  we  think 
of  the  departed,  ''The  fathers,  where  are  they  ?  and  the  pro- 
phets, do  they  live  forever  V^ 

We  recollect  among  the  absent  many  kind  friends,  many 
excellent  Christians,  many  firm  supporters  of  this  church, 
many  men  of  prayer  and  faith,  strong  men  for  influence,  for 
resistance  of  the  wrong  and  the  advocacy  of  the  right,  and 
laithful  men  in  fulfilling  promises  and  the  acknowledgment 
of  obligations  ;  and  as  tliey  were  removed  in  succession,  we 
stood  by  their  graves  and  sighed  because  we  felt  each  time 
tliat)  another  prop  was  removed  and  another  staff  to  lean  u])on 
taken  away !  This  has  occurred  so  often  that  our  coniidence 
would  long  since  have  failed,  had  it  not  been  that  God  has 
been  pleased,  in  great  kindness  toward  us  and  toward  his 
church  here,  to  enable  us  to  say,  "  Instead  of  the  fathers  here 
are  their  children."  Yes,  aiul  tliey  havcproved  that. they  were 
no  "  degenerate  sons,"  unworthy  of  such  an  honorable  pater- 
nitv.  It  is  one  of  the  peculiarities  of  this  church,  that  it  has 
in  it,  now,  nnmy  representatives  of  its  very  first  members. 
Names  have  been  perpetuated  in  the  friends  and  officers  of  tlie 
church  from  tlic  very  commencement  nntil  the  ])rescnt  time 
— -names  that  are  homjred  even  yet.       This  gives  it  peculiar 


-9-i  ilEMORIAL   SERMONS. 

streiigtli.  It  is  surely  more  pleasant  and  even  more  profitable 
to  know  that  we  are  worshiping  now  jnst  where  our  parents 
and  our  ancestors  worshiped  before  us.  It  is  more  impres- 
sive to  worship  there  than  it  could  be  in  any  other  place. 
May  we  not  also  believe  that  God  is  more  propitious  to  the 
prayers  and  praises  which  are  offered  in  places  so  long  devoted 
to  his  service  than  he  is  elsewhere  l  In  the  temple  at  Jeru- 
salem he  claimed  a  special  ownership.  And  many  accepted 
prayers  are  onh'  fulfilled  in  generations  to  come.  Fathers 
offer  them  and  their  children  inherit  the  blessing.  One  gene- 
ration  in  this  way  labors  in  sowing- the  seed,  and  breaking  u[) 
the  fallow  ground,  and  another  is  honored  in  bringing  in  the 
sheaves  into  the  garner.  Both  are  equally  useful,  both  are 
equally  employed  in  God's  service,  and  neither  has  the  right 
to  exalt  himself  and  depreciate  the  other,  as  if  he  alone  was 
worthy  to  be  commended.  Some  men  seem  to  think  that  the 
church  has  nothing  to  do  but  to  make  a  record  of  conversions. 
Some  are  so  ignorant  as  to  begin  to  be  discouraged  as  soon  as 
they  cease,  even  for  a  single  year  or  part  of  a  year.  Should 
they  not  consider.  Is  it  always  harvest-time?  Has  the  winter 
season  no  necessary  agency  to  perform  in  completing  the  glo- 
ries of  the  year?'  Even  in  tropical  climes,  though  there  is  no 
winter,  the  activities  of  the  vegetable  world  cease  for  a  time, 
and  every  thing  lies  dormant,  as  if  it  were  rej)osing  for  the 
purpose  of  recuperating  its  energies  and  displaying  more  vigor 
when  the  waking  comes  again.  It  ought  to  be  so  in  the 
church.  It  must  he  so  in  order  to  preserve  her  in  a  healthful 
condition.  A  church  with  a  perpetual  revival  would  be  a 
church  with  a  most  unnatural  life,  and  could  not  fail  to  be- 
come sickl}'-,  excitable,  and  unfit  for  the  Avork  assigned  to  every 
church — that  of  training  souls  for  glory  ! 

In  accordance  witli  this,  we  have  to  lament  our  losses  as 
well  as  to  record  our  increase.  AVe  remember  our  hai'ven 
years,  and  are  glad  to  know  that  there  have  been  some  also 
that  have  been  fruitful.  We  have  seen  our  winters  as  well  as 
our  summers.  AVe  have  shed  tears  over  the  graves  of  the 
dead,  and  we  have  uttered  shouts  of  gladness  when  the  .young 
converts  like  sheaves  were  brought  into  the  garner.  Thus  our 
experience  has  been  only  a  picture  of  human  life,  composed  of 


MEMORIAL   SERMONS.  95 

Kiinsliinc  and  clondr;,  of  dayliglit  and  darkness.  AVhat  is  most 
encouraging  to  faitli  is,  that  God  lias  given  us  strengtli  as  our 
day  and  brouglit  us  hitherto  in  safety.  We  erect  an  Ebenezer 
on  this  spot,  and  inscribe  upon  it,  tlie  "  Lord  our  lielper." 

It  wouhl  not  be  proper  to  speak  of  those  wlio  are  lost  to  ns 
Avithout  also  remembering  those  who  have  been  gained.  Some 
of  our  honored  femilies  are  stronger  and  more  numerous  in 
the  church  at  the  jn-esent  moment  than  they  ever  were,  while 
there  are  others  v/ho  have  cast  in  their  lot  with  us,  who  arc 
not  behind  the  very  best.  In  fact,  the  church  has,  probably, 
at  no  period  of  her  previous  histor}^,  embraced  as  much  wealth 
or  as  much  intelligence  as  she  does  at  this  moment.  What 
we  really  need  is  not  more  strength  or  greater  numbers,  but 
more  zeal,  more  prayer,  inore  devotion  to  our  appropriate 
work,  each  in  the  sphere  Avhere  God  has  placed  us,  minding 
the  apostolic  rule,  "he  that  teacheth,  on  teaching;  he  that 
cxhorteth,  on  exhortation ;  he  that  givetli,  let  him  do  it  with 
simplicity;  he  that  ruleth,  Avith  diligence;  lie  that  showeth 
mercy,  with  cheerfulness."  Our  list  of  communicants  is  larger 
than  it  ever  was,  though  for  the  last  three  years  the  increase 
has  not  been  much  more  than  to  make  up  for  the  losses  Avliich 
death  and  removals  have  produced  ;  while  the  real  sentiment 
of  the  church  promises  harmony  in  action  and  a  coincidence 
in  feeling,  from  which  almost  perfect  iniit//  may  be  expected 
in  lier  future  course  upon  all  the  great  questions  and  interests 
wdiich  claim  attention.  In  this  unity  her  greatest  strength 
will  be  found  to  reside,  either  in  enduriug  or  in  working,  and 
with  it  we  are  invincible  ! 

During  the  five  years  which  Ave  are  now  reviewing,  there 
have  been  received  into  the  communion  of  the  church  on  con- 
fession 84  persons,  and  l)y  certificate  42,  making  the  whole 
number  of  members  received  in  full  communion  126,  and  giv- 
ing an  average  of  more  than  25  in  each  year !  These  have 
come  from  all  the  difh'rent  classes  of  the  population  embraced 
in  the  congregation ;  but  a  large  nmjority  have  been  trained 
in  our  Sabbath-schools  and  been  of  the  youth  of  our  charge. 
There  is,  of  course,  a  great  diversity  in  the  character  and  use- 
fulness to  be  observed  in  such  a  numl)er.  Some  of  them,  in 
process  of  time,  become  efficient  and  eminent  Christians,  re- 


96  iyiE]\[OUIAL   SERMONS. 

maining  witli  us  for  life  and  i^iviiig  tlie  force  of  their  character 
and  the  devotion  of  their  prayers  and  example  to  the  canse  of 
religion  ;  others,  inactive  and  undevoted,  can  merely  increase 
the  strength  of  the  church  by  numbers,  and  hang  as  a  weight 
upon  her  skirts;  while  others  still  remain  with  us  only  for  a 
little  while,  and  then  are  called  in  providence  to  other  places 
and  unite  .Avith  other  churches.  This  difference  can  not  bo 
avoided;' all  have  not  the  same  measure  of  grace,  nor  have  all 
a  permanent  lot  in  providence,  and  a.s  Ave  welcome  them  when 
they  come,  Ave  cherish  them  Avhile  Avith  us,  and  dismiss  them 
cheerfully  Avhen  they  go  away,  ha]>py  to  give  to  otliers  Avhat 
circumstances  do  not  allow  us  to  retain  as  our  own,  if  they  are 
only  useful  in  their  sphere. 

Out  of  this  number  of  120,  Ave  have  dismissed  Gl  honorably 
to  other  churches,  Avliile  16  have  died  and  gone,  as  Ave  are 
privileged  to  hope,  from  tlie  associations  and  enjoyments  of 
the  church  below  to  the  general  assembly  of  the  saints  in 
heaven.  The  Avhole  number  thus  dismissed  and  parted  AvIth 
in  death  is  77,  leaving  49  as  the  actual  increase  of  the  com- 
munion during  the  space  of  time  included  in  our  present 
review.  This  amounts  to  one  less  than  10  in  each  year  as  the 
permanent  enlargement  of  the  membership  of  the  church  by 
confession  and  certificate  during  this  period.  This,  though  not 
large,  is  still  an  encouraging  fact,  demonstrating  the  constant 
presence  of  the  Holy  Spirit  in  his  active  efficiency,  and  prov- 
ing that  Ave  have  had  at  no  time  any  real  canse  to  complain 
Avith  the  prophet,  "  All  day  long  have  I  stretched  forth  my 
hands  to  a  disobedient  and  a  gainsaying  people  !"  The  in- 
crease might  have  been  much  larger,  and  in  some  periods  of 
the  history  of  our  church  it  has  been  so;  but  it  might  also 
have  been  much  smaller,  and  in  the  past  there  have  also  been 
times  .Avhen.it  Avas  so.  Other  churches  in  our  land  have 
enjoyed  a  more  abundant  prosperity  ;  but  avo  doubt  Avhether 
there  is  one  in  this  immediate  vicinity  Avhich  has  been,  upon 
the  Avhole,  more  highly  favored.  We  do  not  make  this  obser- 
A'ation  in  a  spirit  of  boasting,  but  in  order  to  sot  in  a  proper 
])u!nt  of  light  the  favor  Avhich  God  has  extended  toward  us. 
That  more  earnestness  in  preaching,  and  more  prayerfulnes.-^ 
and  zeal  on  the  part  of  all  the  members  of  the  church,  Avould 


MEMORIAL   SERMOXS.  97 

liave  secured  a  mncli  larger  increase,  "\ve  most  sincerely  believe  ; 
but  in  the  measure  of  earnestness  to  wliicli  each  has  attair.ed 
and  been  able  to  manifest,  tlie  faithful  fultilhuent  of  (iod's 
promise  has  not  failed  or  been  wanting.  The  %ohole  review 
certainly  atiords  matter  for  hopeful  encouragement,  and,  if 
properly  considered,  ought  to  stimulate  us  all  to  add  to  our 
faith  virtue,  and  to  our  diligence  godliness,  earnestness,  and 
activity.  The.  Lord  is  not  in  any  sense  slack  concerning  any 
of  his  ])romises.  The  hand  of  thediligent  maketh  rich  in 
spiritual  things  just  as  certainly  as  it  does  in  temporal  things. 
The  smallest  service  done  for  (lod  always  secures  a  rich  re- 
ward, and  it  conies  to  ns  in  many  ways  of  which  we  may 
long  continue  to  be  ignorant,  but  which  Avill  make  themselves 
clearly  manifest  at  least  in  the  future  world  and  in  the  higher 
life.  It  is  a  blessed  thing  to  do  good  under  any  circumstances. 
They  who  turn  many  to  righteousness  will  shine  as  stars  in 
the  firmament,  and  even  a  cup  of  cold  water  given  to  a  disci- 
ple in  the  name  of  Christ  will  be  remembered  in  heaven  and 
receive  the  commendation  of  the  Saviour  when  he  makes  uj) 
his  jewels  and  calls  his  redeemed  ones  home  ! 

The  whole  number  which  have  been  admitted  to  the  coni- 
]nunion  of  the  church  since  my  ministrj^  commenced  here,  is 
C12.  This  gives  an  average  of  more  than  20  in  each  year,  and 
in  comparison  with  the  whole  number  admitted  from  the  first 
organization  of  the  cliurch,  in  1(599,  is  probably  nearh^  equal 
to  one  half. 

The  highest  nund)er  admitted  to  communion  during  this 
])eriod  in  any  one  year  was  49.  The  snuillest  number  was  9. 
The  first  occurred  in  188S,  and  the  latter  in  1>;59.  Between 
these  extremes  the  average  falls,  and  it  is  renuirkal)le  what  a 
nniformity  it  indicates. 

Now,  if  we  consider  these  facts  attentively,  they  must  be  re- 
garded as,  upon  the  whole,  higldy  expressive  and  encouraging. 
Amid  all  the  variety  of  feeling  and  sentiment  which  have  arisen 
out  of  the  vicissitudes  of  in-ovidence,  God's  power  has  been 
constantly  manifest  in  the  church,  in  the  blessing  attendant  on 
the  AVord  and  ordinances.  His  truth  has  not  been  proclaimed 
in  vain  in  any  one  year,  nor  hath  he  left  himself  without  a 
Avitness.     The  rain    from  heaven    lias  no   more   certainly  de- 


08  MEMORIAL   SEHMOXS. 

ricended  and  fructified  tlio  earth  and  matured  tlie  harvest,  to 
be  gathered  into  the  garner  of  the  husbandman,  than  the  good 
seed  of  tlie  hhigdom  of  lieaven,  sown  in  the  chnrch,  has  yiekled 
a  liarvest  of  souls  to  be  brought  into  the  house  of  God.  We 
are,  therefore,  all  witnesses  this  day  to  the  stability  of  the 
covenant,  and  the  rich  abundance  of  its  blessings.  We  derive 
a  new  assurance  that  none  that  seek  the  Lord  shall  in  any 
wise  fail  in  finding  his  promise  true.  His  church  is  ever  be- 
fore him,  and  all  her  interests  are  remembered  in  his  thoughts 
of  love,  and  provided  for  constantly  through  his  grace  !  Thirty 
consecutive  years  in  which  there  has  not  been  one  barren  one, 
and  only  two  communion  seasons  in  the  whole  series  in  w^hich 
none  w^ere  added  on  confession,  and  only  a  single  one  in  wdiich 
some  were  not  received  by  certificate,  is  surely  proof  of  this. 
(For  thirty  years  there  has  only  been  one  communion  that  w^as 
entirely  barren  and  fruitless  in  appearance ;  even  this  was  not 
so  in  reality.)  We  do  not  insist  upon  this  for  the  purpose  of 
self-praise,  far  from  it ;  but  we  doubt  whether  there  are  many 
other  churches  wdiich  can  show  such  a  record.  God  has  in- 
deed been  good  to  us,  and  his  loving-kindness  and  favor  really 
reach  even  unto  the  clouds.  Let  us  remember  it  to  his  praise, 
and  to  the  prevention  of  any  despondency  in  any  futm-e  try- 
ing hours  that  may  come  upon  us,  in  whatever  troublous 
times  God  may  please  to  send. 

Durin<T  tlie  whole  period  of  my  ministry  I  have  baptized 
568  cliildren  and  45  adults  on  confession  of  their  faith  ;  and 
performed  the  marriage  ceremonjrSST  times. 

I  feel  constrained  to  make  a  single  remark  in  this  connec- 
tion. It  seems  to  me  that  the  greatest  evil  in  our  present 
position  as  a  church  is  to  found  in  the  fact  that  for  the  last 
few  years  there  have  been  so  few  infants  presented  for  the 
ordinance  of  baptism.  It  sliows  that  our  families  are  not  in- 
creasino-,  and  since  it  is  certain  that  they  must  decrease  b}^ 
death,  it  seems  to  point  to  a  time  when  the  prosperity  of  the 
church  will  be  less,  and  the  whole  aspect  of  things  neces- 
sarily be  discouraging.  We  believe  that  enough  is  not  done 
to  retain  our  young  people  with  us.  AVc  proposed  tlie  pur- 
chase of  an  organ  as  one  of  the  things  which  probably  would 
tend  to  prevent  wdiat  certainly  ought  to  be  prevented ;  and 


]\rEMORIAL   SEEMONS.  99 

^\■o.  believe,  now,  tliat  if  it  liad  been  done,  even  to-day  tlie  ex- 
pense wonld  have  been  a  saving  to  the  prominent  nieinbers  of 
tlie  cbnrcli,  wliile  the  number  of  hearers  ■\vouhl  be  proportion- 
ately increased.  The  objections  against  the  nse  of  such  an 
instrument  in  the  services  of  the  sanctuary  we  can  not  consider 
as  having  any  real  weight.  In  a  Dutch  church  surely  they 
ought  not  to  be  regarded  as  of  sufHcient  consequence  to  obviate 
the  certain  beneiits,  since  in  the  fatherland  such  use  is  univer- 
sal, and  in  this  country  the  want  has  arisen  from  another 
cause — the  difHculty  of  obtaining  the  instrument  at  first,  and 
then  the  habit  of  worshiping  without  it.  Music  is  too  vital 
and  large  an  element  in  the  comf()rt  of  public  worshi})  to  be 
disregarded  by  those  who  consider  wisely  the  advantage  of  the 
church  and  the  importance  of  having  that  which  at  once 
satisfies  the  spiritual  mind  and  engages  the  youthful  heart.  We 
believe  the  loss  experienced  to  be  a  serious  one,  and  of  such  a 
character  as  to  require  an  immediate  remed}" ;  and  I  have  felt, 
therefore,  that  so  much  at  least  ought  to  be  said  on  the  present 
occasion.  Whether  our  counsels  will  be  regarded,  remains  for 
the  future  to  determine.  A  duty  will  at  all  events  have  been 
discharged,  and  we  can  oidy  leave  the  subject  to  those  to  whom 
the  matter  belongs,  and  Avith  whose  interests  it  is  identified. 

No  record  of  human  life  can  pretend  to  be  comj^lete  which 
omits  to  mention  the  doings  of  the  destroyer.  In  a  period  of 
five  years,  he  invades  almost  all  our  habitations  and  takes  away 
some  one  member  from  almost  every  domestic  circle ;  often 
that  ve7'j/  one  is  removed  which  is  the  centre  of  all  hearts ! 
Hence  when  we  come  to  mention  the  names  of  those  who  have 
departed,  we  strike  chords  that  vibrate  from  one  side  of  the 
house  to  the  other.  Our  catalogue  is  not  a  list  of  those  who 
have  died  in  the  congregation,  but  only  of  those  in  the  com- 
munion of  the  church  ;  and  we  are  not  absolutely  sure  that  it 
is  perfect,  as  our  records  are  less  complete  in  this  department 
than  in  any  other ;  but  we  remember  Dr.  Peter  I.  Stryker, 
John  Garretson,  liyneir  Yan  Keste,  Abraham  Stryker,  Wil- 
liam B.  Gaston,  Peter  Wortman,  Cornelius  Vanderveer,  AVil- 
liam  Punn,  Peter  Dumont,  P.  T.  Tunison,  and  Mr.  Richard 
Ten  Eyck,  Mrs.  Phebe  Iloagland,  Mrs.  Cornelia  Peckman, 
Miss  Catherine  Ycghte,  Mrs.  J.   Yanderveer,  Mrs.  AVilliam 


100  MEMORIAL  SEinroxs. 

Bnnn,  Mrs.  Joliii  Herder,  Mrs.  Jnditli  Tunison,  Mrs.  Benjamin 
Smith,  Mrs.  Maria  Elmendorf,  Mrs.  John  Schenck,  Mrs.  Isaac 
Cubberley ;  and  also  three  young  persons  who  gave  hope  in 
their  .death,  JTathaniel  Wilson,  Peter  Saunis,  and  Emma 
Crensen. 

I  have  no  means  of  ascertaining  liovv'  many  fnneral  sermons 
I  have  preached  in  the  thirty  years  now  past,  nor  during  the 
last  five  years,  as  I  have  not  kept  a  full  record  ;  hut  considering 
the  number  of  families  embraced  in  the  congregation,  it  has 
not  been  larcie.  Indeed,  for  the  last  few  years  the  mortalitv 
among  our  people  has  been  remarkably  small.  God  has  pre- 
served us  from  any  plague  or  pestilence,  and  even  from  the 
ordinary  measure  of  mortality,  to  an  extent  which  is  remarka- 
ble, and  indicates  special  favor. 

And  yet,  when  we  come  to  recollect  all  that  are  among  the 
dead,  the  thought  becomes  impressive  in  the  highest  degree. 
With  a  few  exceptions,  all  the  heads  of  f\miilies  who  were  here 
thirty  years  ago  are  here  no  more  ;  the  households  are  chang- 
ed, the  names  of  whole  families  blotted  out,  properties  distri- 
buted and  sold,  and  a  new  aspect  silently  thrown  over  this 
house  not  only,  but  over  this  entire  community.  To  my  own 
mind,  this  is  one  of  the  saddest  realizations  of  this  day.  I 
seem  to  stand  here  between  the  dead  and  the  living,  and  my 
heart  is  rent  between  them.  The  lost  are  as  numerous  as  the 
remaining ;  and  although  the  livhig  have  my  attention,  the 
dead  are  engraven  upon  my  memory,  and  will  never  be  for- 
gotten. They  even  seem,  in  not  a  few  instances,  to  have  left 
no  equals  behind  them  ;  but  this,  I  know,  is  ])erhaps  on  account 
of  their  age  and  their  longer  experience  in  divine  things,  more 
than  in  any  essential  diiference  in  character  or  depth  and  de- 
votedness  of  piety.  Wlieu  the  generation  now  occupying  the 
stage  of  action  shall  have  added  the  wisdom  and  maturity  of 
years  to  their  other  excellent  qualities,  we  shall  hope  to  see 
them  worthy  of  their  sires,  and  even  improved  by  the  privi- 
leges which  they  have  enjoyed.  It  is  one  of  the  fond  weak- 
nesses of  age  to  exclaim,  "  the  former  things  were  better  than 
these,"  whereas  in  realit}-  they  are  often  not  so  good.  The 
memories  of  youth  leave  a  golden  tinge  upon  the  scenes  of 
former  life,  which,  like  the  light  of  the  inorning,  clothes  every 


MEMORIAL   SERMONS.  101 

tiling  in  roseate  lines,  but  in  reality  it  is  only  the  rising  vapors 
and  the  iniperfect  light  which  occasion  the  deception.  When 
the  sun  has  risen,  up  into  the  mid-heaven  the  delusion  vanishes, 
and  every  thing  appears  in  its  natural  colors.  So  experience 
rectifies  many  of  the  sanguine  expectations  of  early  life.  In 
all  its  stages,  experience  has  many  stern  realities,  and  we  all 
come  to  know  them  soon  enough  for  our  comfort.  For  our- 
selves, we  can  not  to-day,  even  by  the  force  of  imagination, 
bring  back  the  hopefulness  of  thirty  years  ago  ;  and  yet  though 
less  sanguine,  we  are  not  less  resolute  in  the  prosecution  of  the 
work  before  us.  We  may  not  expect  so  much  success,  but 
then  we  know  we  are  not  as  liable  to  be  so  largely  deceived  as 
we  once  were.  We  trust  less  to  profession,  but  we  expect 
equally  much  from  principle.  We  know  the  weaknesses  of 
human  nature,  but  we  also  know  the  strength  which  truei^iety 
gives  to  every  excellency  of  character,  and  how  much  we  can 
trust  a  man,  in  whose  heart  religion  is  a  reality,  and  not  only 
a  name  to  live.  The  larger  the  number  of  such  members 
which  a  church  embodies  in  her  communion,  the  more  comfort 
a  minister  will  find  in  his  intercourse  with  them  ;  and  it  is  no 
loss  in  either  aspect  to  have  a  time  of  sifting  come ;  the 
chaff  is  only  separated  from  the  wheat,  and  the  tares  rooted 
up  which  choke  the  growth  of  the  genuine  grain.  Such  times 
we  have  had,  and  we  have  found  occasion  to  rejoice  after  they 
had  passed  over.  We  shall  have  them  again,  and  in  anticipa- 
tion we  say : 

O  God !   do  tlioTi  tliy  riohtoons  will ; 
Wo  will  lie  still  till  thou  fulfill 
Tliy  wise  desi<;n  ;  'tis  but  tlie  dross 
^\']licll  VkC,  iu  fc'ur,  rej^ard  as  loss! 

Gold  must  pass  through  the  fire  before  the  pure  metal  can 
be  drawn  forth  in  all  its  shining  lustre  and  value.  Surely  we 
have  reason  to  be  thankful  that  so  much  even  yet  remains, 
which  we  hope  the  refiner  will  pronounce  genuine! 

I  know  well  in  how  many  houses  there  have  been  experi- 
enced sore  afflictions,  for  it  has  been  my  duty  to  "  comfort  the 
mourners,"  as  well  as  to  "rejoice  with  them  that  have  found 
occasions  of  joy."  Nor  has  my  own  lot  in  this  respect  differed 
from  yours.  Sad  bereavements  they  have  been,  indeed,  in 
'  1 


402  MEMORIAL   SERMONS, 

their  Lest  aspect  to  all  of  us;  and  ray  dead  sleep  beside  your 
own  in  yonder  cemetery  on  tlie  lull-side.  Imagination  often 
lingers  around  that  spot,  and  calls  up  the  form  and  lineaments 
of  the  departed  as  they  once  appeared,  when  the  music  of  their 
voices  made  my  home  cheerful  and  their  beaming  counte- 
nances indicated  the  joys  of  their  daily  life.  It  is  not  a  spirit 
of  repining  that  brings  these  scenes  back  so  often,  but  only 
the  lingering  of  an  unquenched  afiection,  which  time  has  no 
power  to  destroy.  I  hope  to  see  them  in  the  habitations  of 
the  blessed,  and  endeavor  to  wait  in  patience  until  the  years 
of  this  pilgrimage  are  ended,  and  its  toils  have  ceased.  Until 
then,  to  hope  on,  hope  ever  is  all  that  can  be  done.  We  have 
long  since  ceased  to  expect  our  life  to  pass  away  as  one  long, 
bright  summer  day,  without  clouds  and  without  storms.  It  is 
not  in  such  an  aspect  that  the  Scriptures  represent  it,  nor  is  it 
such  that  experience  proves  it.  As  long  as  sin  continues  in 
the  world  there  will  be  suiFering ;  and  as  long  as  sin  exists  in 
our  hearts,  it  will  produce  there  its  bitter  fruits.  "  Many  are 
the  afflictions  of  the  righteous ;"  but  the  promise  is  added, 
''The  Lord  delivers  us  out  of  them  all."  In  God's  people 
they  produce  the  peaceable  fruits  of  righteousness,  but  in  the 
wicked  hardened  impenitence  and  a  fearful  looking  for  of 
wrath  and  judgment  to  come.  A  true  Christian  will  be  more 
anxious  that  the  fruit  should  be  unto  life,  than  that  he  should 
be  entirely  exempt  from  their  pain. 

Is  or  would  we  attempt  to  produce  the  impression  that  our 
life  has  been  entirely  exempt  from  trials  of  another  kind.  We 
liave  been  happy  in  the  attached  friendship  of  many  of  our 
])eoplo,  but  we  do  not  pretend  that  we  have  not  suffered  from 
the  want  of  it  in  others.  Endeavoring  to  adhere  to  principle 
and  to  be  faithful  in  the  pursuit  of  right,  we  have  more  than 
once  been  brought  into  conflict  with  selfishness  and  prejudice. 
Passion  has  not  been  restrained  within  the  limits  of  propriety, 
nor  outrage  avoided.  But  we  are  bound  in  justice  to  say,  that 
those  upon  whom  we  really  depended  have  never  deceived  us, 
nor  proved  recreant  to  the  confidence  which  we  reposed  in 
their  Christian  character  and  integrity.  Indeed,  there  has, 
even  in  this  respect,  been  less  disappointment  than  many  may 
liave  imagined  ;  for  we  have  always  known  who  were  worthy 


MEMORIAL   SERMON'S.  JOo 

of  trust  and  wlio  were  not.  All  men  arc  not  endowed  with 
"  truth  in  the  inward  parts."  There  is  a  weakness  of  cha- 
racter, however  honest  it  may  be,  which  never  can  be  safely 
trusted ;  while,  at  the  same  time,  there  is  also  a  firmness  which 
never  can  be  trusted  too  much.  A  true  man  is  a  friend  al- 
ways, but  weakness  is  vacillating,  and  subject  to  the  sway  of 
every  wind  that  blows.  In  the  forest  there  are  a  few  sturdy 
oaks  which  even  the  whirlwind  assaults  in  vain  ;  but  the  supple 
sapling  bends  even  before  the  passing  breeze,  while  the  bram- 
ble has  no  strength  at  alb  It  was  not  to  be  exj)ected,  when 
passion  has  been  so  deeply  stirred  up  as  during  the  last  few 
months,  that  its  wild  vagaries  would  not  be  reckless  and  un- 
reasonable. I  have  this,  however,  to  say,  that  I  have  studied, 
in  all  things,  to  have  a  conscience  void  of  offense  toward  God 
and  toward  men  ;  and  I  have  done  nothing  that  I  would  not 
do  again  under  the  same  circumstances,  and  tlierefore  express 
to  day  no  regrets,  nor  do  I  promise  a  different  course.  I  have 
preaclied  tlie  Gospel,  and  I  mean  in  the  future  to  preach  no- 
thing but  the  Gospel.  I  can  not  do  any  thing  else  under  tlie 
sense  of  responsibility  which  I  feel,  for  I  know  "  woe  is  me  if 
I  preach  not  the  Gospel."  I  can  not  walk  by  another  man's 
rule,  nor  graduate  my  sense  of  duty  by  another  man's  mea- 
sure. I  do  not  hold  myself  up  as  a  guide  to  others,  but  endea- 
vor to  act  according  to  the  light  which  there  is  in  mo.  I  fear 
no  man,  and  call  no  man  master !  Before  God  and  conscience 
I  stand  self- approved  ;  and  I  mean  to  stand  there  at  all  events. 

But  I  am  not  so  self-sufficient  as  to  suppose  that  I  have 
committed  no  faults,  and  fallen  into  no  mistakes.  What  I 
repudiate  is  intentional  wrong;  what  I  deny  is  the  weakness 
of  insincerity,  and  the  wickedness  of  pretending  to  be  what  I 
am  not,  in  any  relation  or  responsibility. 

But  it  is  time  to  pass  on  from  these  personal  allusions  to 
myself,  to  things  that  are  of  far  higher  importance.  I  see 
here  to-day  individuals  who  were  here  when  I  came,  in  youtli 
and  inexperience,  to  assume  the  pastoral  charge  of  this  impor- 
tant church.  I  have  preached  Christ  to  these  individuals 
faithfully,  and  with  all  the  arguments  and  energy  which  (Jod 
has  given  me  and  enal)lcd  me  to  employ  ;  Imt  in  vain.  1  see 
them  to-day  unreconciled  to  God,  and  as  little  ]>repared  for 
death  and  eternity  as  when  my  ministry  commenced.     Thirty 


104  MEMORIAL   SERMONS, 

years  of  profitless  attendance  on  the  ordinances  of  tlie  sanctu- 
ary is  an  appalling  reflection  !  It  brings  np  a  long  array  of 
misspent  Sabbaths  and  misiniproved  privileges ;  and  these  are 
to  meet  you  at  the  judgment-bar.  How  will  you  answer  to 
God  and  your  conscience  for  such  a  vast  evil  ?  How  will  you 
reconcile  this  to  your  conscience  when  you  come  to  die  ?  The 
reflection  which  is  forced  home  upon  my  mind,  from  this  fact, 
is  one  of  the  saddest  of  this  day.  For  your  good  I  have  at 
least  labored  in  vain,  and  spent  my  strength  for  naught ;  but 
I  take  you  yourselves  to  witness  this  day,  that  I  am  free  from 
the  blood  of  your  souls.  I  have  not  withheld  from  you  any 
part  of  the  counsel  of  God.  I  have  warned  you,  expostulated 
with  you,  and  entreated  you ;  and  I  warn  you  again,  and  now 
beseech  you  to  give  attention  to  the  things  of  your  peace. 

Let  me  inquire  here  what  it  is  that  has  kept  you  back  from 
Christ  ?  You  know  there  is  no  other  salvation,  and  you  con- 
fess this  l)y  coming  here  from  Sabbath  to  Sabbath  to  hear  the 
Gospel.  But  the  hearer  of  the  Word  is  not  saved  ;  only  he 
that  obeys  enters  into  rest.  Your  hearing  will  not  secure  to 
you  the  benefits  of  Christ.  Obedience  is  your  life.  Many 
hearers  of  the  Gospel  will,  in  the  daj^  of  accounts,  be  adjudged 
as  worthy  of  the  sorest  condemnation,  because  they  knew  the 
will  of  God,  but  did  not  obey  him. 

How  shall  I  convince  you  and  bring  you  to  a  decision  ?  I 
know  of  no  arguments  Avhicli  have  not  already  been  employed; 
of  no  motives  that  have  not  already  been  presented,  of  no 
entreaties  which  have  not  already  proved  in  vain.  What  can 
I  do  ?  If  tears  would  avail,  I  would  willingly  shed  them  in 
rivers  from  mine  eyes.  If  you  would  listen  to  us,  we  would 
gladly  come  down  from  this  sacred  desk,  and  take  hold  of  you 
and  drag  you  to  the  foot  of  the  cross.  But  this  would  not 
avail.  It  is  the  motion  of  your  own  heart,  arising  out  of  a 
spontaneous  desire,  that  is  needed.  When  you  feel  this  and 
put  it  forth,  you  will  be  near  the  kingdom  of  heaven,  and 
until  3'ou  do  feel  and  put  it  forth,  even  an  angel  could  not 
save  you.  Hasten,  then,  to  embrace  the  Saviour  offered  to 
you  freely.  Only  believe,  and  you  will  know  the  joy  of  sin 
forgiven,  and  the  peace  that  passeth  all  understanding. 

I  have  now  oidy  to  thank  my  kind  friends — true  friends, 
always  friends,  for  their  affectionate  attachment  to  my  person 


MEMORIAL    SERMONS.  105 

niul  ministry.  Tlicir  eiieonras^cmGiit  lias  been  my  i-cward 
(lurinii;  this  long  and  difficnlt  service,  and  upon  them  I  rely  in 
the  future.  How  long  Providence  will  allow  me  to  continue 
to  minister  to  you  in  holy  things,  I  can  uot  to-day  foresee  nor 
determine.  All  that  I  can  say  is,  that  I  M'ill  cheerfully  labor 
on,  as  I  have  done,  until  my  work  is  done  ;  and  when  it  is 
done,  no  one  will  be  more  rejoiced  to  cease  than  I  shall  !  T 
have  devoted  to  your  spiritual  instruction  the  cream  aiul  llowcr 
of  my  life.  The  increase  of  years  may  give  more  experience 
and  wisdom,  but  it  can  not  bring  back  the  vigor  which  lias 
been  spent,  nor  the  energies  of  youth  which  are  wasted  and 
gone.  I  do  not  expect  to  learn  any  new  thing,  nor  to  ado})t 
any  new  methods  of  doing  good.  I  am,  in  fact,  becoming 
more  and  more  thoroughly  convinced  that  the  old  wine  is  the 
best.  I  have  received  but  one  Gospel,  and  I  can  only  preach 
■what  I  have  learned  from  the  Scriptures  and  may  yet  learn 
from  them.  To  exhaust  the  great  theme  would  require  a 
thousand  lives,  and  we  have  only  one  to  give  in  teaching  and 
in  hearing,  and  that  is  short — oh,  how  much  too  short  for  the 
great  work  laid  upon  it !  I  can  not  even  promise  to  try  to  do 
any  thing  different  from  what  I  have  done,  for  I  do  not  be- 
lieve I  shall  sec  reason  to  change  opinions  fixed  so  long,  and 
can  not  on  any  account,  or  to  please  any  man  or  party  of  men, 
consent  to  do  what  I  do  not  in  my  heart  believe  to  be  right. 
And  as  to  being  dictated  to,  I  am  entirely  too  old  for  that ! 

In  concliTsion,  then,  I  cast  myself  npon  the  care  of  Provi- 
dence and  the  affection  of  my  friends,  thankful  that  I  have  so 
much  faith  in  both,  because  neither  has  ev^er  yet  failed  me. 
What  I  can,  I  will  endeavor  to  do  in  the  fear  of  God  and  with 
an  earnest  spirit.  What  I  cannot,  I  know  no  one  will  be  dis- 
]"»oscd  ever  to  expect.  1  iLet  us  cast  ourselves  upon  Providence. 
God  has  blessed  ns,  and  God  will  bless  ns  again.  And  now 
may  the  blessing  of  the  God  of  Jacob,  whose  covenant  faith- 
fulness hath  never  failed  those  who  put  their  trust  in  him, 
come  upon  you  with  a  fulness  of  power  and  a  richness  of  com- 
munication which  shall  cause  you  to  abound  in  all  things,  antl 
make  you  that  ye  shall  neither  be  barren  nor  unfruitfid  in  the 
work  of  the  Lord,  and  then  bring  you  safe  into  his  kingdom, 
through  Jesus  Christ,  to  whom  be  glory,  forever  and  ever. 

Amen. 


THE   SEVENTH  MEMOEIxYL  SERMOK 

PuEACiiED  October  27tit,  1807. 

FORMER   THINGS    TO    BE   REMEMBERED   AND   IMPROVED, 

"Remember  ye  not  the  former  tilings,  neitlier  consider  tlie  things  of  old." 
— IsAiAii  43  :  18. 

The  prophet,  l)j  divine  direction,  is  reproving  the  people 
for  their  nmneroiis  sins  of  forgetfnhiess ;  and  lie  has,  in  what 
he  says,  special  reference  to  their  propensity  to  idolatry.  He 
considers  it  as  having  its  origin  in  a  failure  to  reTnember  what 
(lod  had  done  for  them  in  Egypt,  in  the  wilderness,  and  in 
Canaan.  Surely  he  had  given  sufficient  evidence  that  he  was 
the  supreme  God — greater  than  any  of  the  idols  of  the  hea- 
then ;  and  if  they  had  only  remembered  their  own  history, 
tliey  would  have  known  better  than  to  fall  away  to  idols.  No 
idol-god  could  possibly  present  so  many  claims  to  obedience 
and  service  as  the  Almighty  presented,  in  his  own  behalf,  to 
the  people  he  had  chosen,  defended,  and  settled  in  the  inheri- 
tance promised  to  their  fathers.  They  had  only  to  recall  the 
facts  of  their  own  history  to  become  perfectly  satisfied  of  this. 

This  is,  in  fact,  a  duty  which  every  one  owes  to  himself. 
''  The  years  of  the  right  hand  of  the  Most  High"  are  precious 
mementoes.  There  are  enough  of  them  in  the  experience  of 
every  cliurcjh  and  every  individual  to  form  a  rich  treasure, 
from  which  to  draw  abundant  lessons  of  instruction,  encou- 
ragement, and  admonition.  Life  repeats  itself  Avith  certain 
variations  and  improvements  ;  but  the  great  facts  and  the 
principal  experiences  have  a  certain  uniformity,  always  suffi- 
cient to  enable  us  to  anticipate  what  will  be  from  what  we 
know  has  been.  This  is  necessarily  so.  God  is  the  same,  and 
humanity  is  essentially  the  same  likewise.  The  variations 
M-hicli  are  found  in  the  action  of  the  one  upon  the  otlier  are 
only  what  belong  to  times,  circumstances,  and  relations  ;  and 
they  form  a  small  part,  exceptional  to  the  unity  and  the  uni- 
formity.    Political  foresight,  sagacity,  and  prudence  are  only 


MEMORIAL   SERMONS.  107 

tlie  results  of  a  wise  judgment,  formed  after  this  uniformity 
and  variation  have  been  M'ell  considered,  compared,  and 
weighed. 

Hence  it  becomes  an  important  duty  to  ''remember  the 
former  things."  They  have  instruction  in  tliem  which  is 
vahiable,  and  Avliich  we  need.  Tlie  most  complete  idea  of 
imprudence  and  rashness  is  forgetfulness  of  the  past,  and  a 
disregard  of  tlie  lessons  of  experience.  An  imprudent  man  is 
self-opinioned.;  a  rash  man  is  heedless  !  Both  throw  away  the 
lessons  of  the  past,  and  trust  to  their  own  sagacity.  Both 
reject  the  instruction  of  a  teacher  wiser  than  they  are  them- 
selves, and.  hence  both  err  proverbially,  and  lead  those  astray 
who  trust  in  them.  Indeed,  it  seems  to  be  a  misimprovement 
of  tlie  faculty  of  memory  to  refuse  the  lessons  of  experience; 
and  it  is  ditHcult  to  say  why  it  has  been  given,  if  not  for  this 
purpose. 

This  is,  to  me  at  least,  a  day  of  memorial.  It  is  thirty -five 
years  now  since  I  came  here  and  preached  my  first  sermon  as 
the  pastor  of  this  church.  They  have  been  eventful  years, 
and  their  memory  to  me  is  deeply  impressive.  If  I  had  known 
all  that  was  before  me,  it  is  questionable  whether  I  would 
have  had  courage  to  undertake  the  work  I  have  done,  or  to 
meet  the  trials  I  have  met.  I  do  not  mean  to  be  understood 
as  saying  or  believing  that  either  have  been  greater  than  ought 
to  have  been  expected.  Only  I  had  but  little  experience  then, 
and  Avas  therefore  as  sanguine  as  inexperience  habitually  is  ; 
hoped  more  than  I  have  since  learned  to  hope,  and  attempted 
more  than  I  would  now  be  willing  to  attcm[)t. 

There  arc  but  few  here  to-day  who  heard  that  first  sermon, 
and  have  gone  with  me  through  all  those  3'ears.  If  they  were 
all  here,  I  might  appeal  to  them  whether  I  have  not  been 
faithful  to  tho  promise  made  "to  know  nothing  among  them, 
save  Jesus  Christ  and  him  crucified  ;"  '^'  whether  I  have  not 
])reaclicd  the  Gospel  "  in  season  and  out  of  season;''  whether 
I  have  not  gone  "from  house  to  house"'  preaching  it;  whether 
I  have  not  "  exhorted,  reproved,  rebuked,  with  all  long-suil'er- 
ing  and  gentleness."  I  have  not  "  withheld  the  ti-utli,"  nor 
•'dealt  treacherously  M'ith  it,"'  nor  "daubed  with  uutempered 

*  This  is  the  text  from  wLicli  the  first  sennon  was  prciichcd. 


'108  MEMORIAL    SERMONS. 

mortfir,"  nor  "  liandled  tlie  word  of  God  deceitfully."  I  have 
not  forgotten  that  the  human  heart  is  deceitful,  that  it  fears 
the  truth,  and  is  full  of  all  unrighteousness.  I  have  never  ex- 
pected ungodly  men  to  love  the  truth  as  I  preached  it,  and  I 
have  not  sought  to  gain  their  influence  and  friendship  by  a 
sacrifice  and  betrayal  of  the  truth.  I  know  but  too  well  that 
converts  who  are  only  nominally  such,  made  from  interest,  are 
of  little  w^orth,  and  that  the  time  will  come,  and  come  soon, 
wdien  they  will  need  to  be  more  converted.  Changes  there 
will  therefore  be ;  fickleness  in  man  is  proverbial,  and  those 
who  are  hot  will  grow  cold.  Yet  I  can  not  say  that  I  made 
my  account  for  all  that  has  been,  for  I  did  not  know  men  as  I 
now  know  them,  and  thought  of  them  far  more  favorably 
than  I  have  since  learned  to  think.  Favor  is  deceitful,  pro- 
fessions are  liable  to  be  forgotten,  and  ingratitude  is  one  of 
the  most  common  sins  of  our  weak  and  corrupt  humanity,  and 
ministers  know  as  much  of  it  as  any  other  class  of  men.  But 
there  is  one  thing  I  know  and  can  testify  to  :  hitherto  the  Lord 
liath  helped  me.  I  desire  to  thank  him  to-day  for  his  help, 
and  pray  that  the  memory  of  it  may  strengthen  my  faith  and 
increase  my  steadfastness.  It  has  been  seasonable,  kind,  and 
ever  present ;  and  because  it  has  been  such,  I  erect  this  Ebene- 
zer  to-day,  and  inscribe  upon  it,  "The  Lord  is  my  helper." 
Blessed  be  his  name,  he  has  enabled  me  continually  to  "  trust 
and  not  be  afraid." 

The  ministerial  work  is  a  great  work.  It  is  not  appreciated 
by  the  world  as  it  ought  to  be.  The  Christian  minister  finds 
but  little  sympathy  from  men  who  are  not  in  heart  the  disci- 
ples of  Christ.  Hence  he  is  obstructed  in  many  ways  from 
going  forward  in  his  eftbrts  to  do  good.  It  does  not  cost  a 
great  deal  to  maintain  the  church,  but  no  money  seems  to  be 
so  grudgingly  paid  as  that  which  is  given  for  that  purpose  ; 
and  many  a  zealous  minister  spends  all  his  life  in  labors  to 
promote  the  spiritual  and  temporal  welfare  of  his  fellow-men, 
while  every  year  he  is  obliged  to  take  from  his  private  income 
to  meet  his  wants  and  those  of  his  family.  This  is  expected 
from  no  other  class  of  men,  and  exists  in  no  other  ofiicial  rela- 
tion. The  laborer  is  worthy  of  his  hire;  and  if  he  labors  at 
the  altar,  it  is  right,  and  Christ  gives  him  authority',  that  he 


MEMORIAL   SERMONS.  109 

sliould  live  from  it.  But  there  are  even  Cliristian  men  M'lio 
would  be  willing  to  leave  both  the  altar  and  the  priest  to 
maintain  themselves,  and  still  expect  to  be  served  as  faithfully 
as  if  they  did  their  whole  duty. 

If  this  arose  from  a  misunderstanding  of  their  responsibili- 
ties, it  would  be  more  excusable  than  it  is ;  but  it  is  too  often 
to  bo  traced,  not  to  ignorance,  but  a  base  love  of  pelf.  But 
that  man  who  loves  the  world  so  much,  and  is  so  greedy  of  its 
gain  as  to  let  tlie  cause  of  religion  suffer,  surely  can  have  but 
little  to  expect  when  God  comes  to  judge  him !  It  is  wisdom 
as  well  as  piety  to  "  make  to  ourselves  friends  with  the  mam- 
mon of  nnrighteonsness,  that  when  we  fail  they  may  receive 
ns  into  everlasting  habitations."  A  treasure  laid  up  with  God 
will  bring  us  the  largest  and  the  most  satisfactory  revenue  of 
any  investment.  There  it  neither  cankers  nor  rusts,  nor  is 
there  danger  that  it  will  witness  against  us  at  the  judgment- 
bar  for  having  been  unrighteously  withheld  from  the  cause  of 
piety  and  human  well-being  when  they  both  demanded  it. 

The  relation  of  the  Christian  minister  to  the  welfare  and 
advancement  of  human  society  is  most  intimate  and  inost  im- 
portant. His  instructions  and  influence,  even  in  an  economi- 
cal point  of  vievv',  can  not  be  parted  with  without  loss;  just 
as  any  community  becomes  irreligious  and  vicious,  its  material 
interests  suffer,  and  its  necessary  expenses  are  increased.  It 
is  far  cheaper  to  maintain  the  church  than  the  poor-house  and 
the  ])rison  ;  and  to  prevent  vice  is  far  better  than  to  punish  it. 
From  doing  the  one  or  the  other  you  can  not  escape.  The 
inconsistency  is,  that  so  many  men  enjoy  all  the  benefits  of  a 
])ublic  ministry  which  otliers  maintaiu.  Even  in  the  church 
there  are  some  men  who  attempt  to  have  all  the  comfort  and 
spiritual  jiower  of  religion,  without  any  expense  and  without 
denying  themselves.  It  is  a  vain  attempt,  and,  in  common 
with  other  s(;liemes  involving  dishonor  and  dishonesty,  never 
succeeds.  .  AVith  (lod  we  must,  at  least^  be  candid. 

In  the  period  through  which  my  ministry  has  extended  in 
this  congregation,  I  have  seen  many  things  which  have  an 
intimate  relation  to  these  reflections.  I  have  seen  the  course 
in  which  prosperity  flows,  and  the  course  in  which  it  does  not 
flow.     I  have  seen  families  passing  away,  and  others  rising  up 


'  110  MEMOIUAL   SERMONS. 

and  becoming  strong.  I  have  seen  wealth,  and  influence,  and 
an  honorable  name  sacrificed,  and  others  coming  forward  to 
stand  np  in  the  vacant  places.  I  have  learned  that  good  prin- 
ciples, industry,  and  piety  are  a  safer  and  better  inheritance 
than  any  worldly  position  or  paternal  excellency.  I  have  seen 
a  thousand  instances  to  prove  the  truth  of  the  wise  mairs  re- 
commendation, "  Train  up  a  child  in  the  way  he  should  go, 
and  when  he  is  old  he  will  not  depart  from  it ;"  as  well  as  the 
converse,  that  improper  training,  or  the  want  of  it,  is  a  prepa- 
ration to  follow  the  broad  way  that  leads  to  destruction.  The 
generation  which  has  passed  away  has  left  many  important 
lessons  which  the  living  would  do  well  to  heed.  There  were 
good  men  among  them,  who  "  fought  a  good  fight  "  and  "  wit- 
nessed a  good  confession."  They  loved  this  clnirch,  and  did 
what  they  could  to  promote  its  growth  and  prosperity  ;  and 
their  reward  will  be  great  in  the  kingdom  of  God.  The  savor 
of  their  godly  life  is  "  like  ointment  poured  forth."  We  re- 
member them  with  pleasure. 

This  church  has  long  been  favored  in  having  so  many  men 
of  noble  endowments  and  eminent  gifts  among  its  members. 
They  have  given  it  a  power  at  home  and  a  name  abroad  whioli 
is  at  once  honorable  and  advantageous.  But  alas  !  many  of 
them  are  no  more.  We  have  mourned  their  departure,  and 
felt  how  much  we  had  lost  when  they  were  taken.  In  some 
instances  their  places  have  been  Avell  supplied,  and  in  some 
not.  But,  upon  the  whole,  the  church  has  really  advanced  in 
her  material  and  spiritual  interests  from  year  to  year.  Con- 
gregations have  grown  up  around  us,  mostly  from  those  who 
were  once  attached  to  us ;  but  our  numbers  have  not  been 
diminished.  Not  a  single  year  has  ever  occurred,  except  when 
the  second  church  was  oroi;anized,  in  which  the  increase  of 
members  in  communion  has  not  been  more  than  the  loss  from 
all  sources.  In  this  way,  in  the  formation  of  new  churches, 
by  creating  other  centres  of  influence,  more  good  has  been 
done,  witliout  entailing  on  us  any  serious  loss  or  inconveni- 
ence. In  fact,  if  we  consider  how  many  new  congregations 
have  been  almost  entirely  formed  out  of  our  church,  its  con- 
stant and   almost  uniform  increase  is  one  of  the  completest 


MEMORIAL   SEEMONS.  Ill 

evidences  that  God  has  been  \vith  as  and  Llessed  us  from  year 
to  year,  that  could  be  given. 

During  tlie  thirty-five  years  wliicli  have  passed,  there  liave 
been  received  into  the  communion  of  this  church  698  mendjers. 
This  amounts  to  100  in  every  live  years,  and  more  than  20 
each  year — a  number  which,  though  not  large  for  any  one 
year  by  itself,  is  yet  remarkable  "when  it  runs  through  35 
years,  and  shows  clearly  that  the  Holy  Spirit  has  been  among 
us  continually,  hovering  like  a  holy  dove  over  our  habitations, 
and  sending  down  his  converting  influences,  now  on  one  and 
then  on  another,  to  bring  them  to  God.  The  largest  number 
in  one  year  was  63  ;  the  smallest  4,  the  year  succeeding  the 
division  of  the  church  by  the  organization  of  a  second  church. 

The  increase  of  which  we  have  been  speaking  is  all  the  more 
important  and  encouraging,  from  the  fact  that  it  has  been  emi- 
nently a  home-increase.  We  have  been  glad  to  welcome  those 
who  came  to  us  from  other  communions,  and  some  of  them  have 
been  important  accessories,  both  in  their  character  and  influ- 
ence ;  but  the  number  is  small  in  comparison  to  tliat  which 
shows  how  the  AVord  has  wrought,  and  the  ordinances  have 
been  blessed,  among  those  who  have  grown  up  in  the  church 
as  her  own  children. 

The  occasions  for  suspension  from  the  communion  and  for 
the  exercise  of  the  Christian  discipline,  have  also  been  remarka- 
bly few.  There  has  been  "  a  falling  away,"  but  it  has  been 
an  exception  alwaj's,  aiul  recurring  at  such  long  intervals  as 
to  show  clearly  that  the  conversions  have  almost  always  been 
genuine  and  of  a  saving  character.  Consistency  has  been 
maintained  in  almost  all  cases,  though  a  high  state  of  S2)iritu- 
ality  has  not  been  as  frequent  as  we  have  desired  to  see,  or  as 
the  responsibilities  of  the  Cln-istian  life  demand.  More  zeal 
and  prayer  would  have])roduced  more  usefulness,  and  resulted 
in  bringing  more  to  the  knowledge  of  the  truth  ;  and  we  shouUl 
sec  to  it  that  a  higher  scale  of  spiritual-mindechiess  is  set  up, 
and  more  strenuous  eflbrts  are  made  to  elevate  all  to  it,  as  the 
only  state  wliicli  is  acknowledged  to  be  a  fair  sample  of  wliat 
every  Christian  should  be. 

During  the  past  thirty-live  years,  I  luive  baptized  680  children, 
and  31  adults  on  confession  of  their  faith.     This  is  an  evidence 


112  MEMORIAL   SERMONS. 

tliat  to  a  good  degree,  at  least,  the  ordinance  of  baptism  lias 
been  regarded  as  a  sacred  duty  which  parents  owe  to  their 
children,  and  that  the  ancient  faith  of  our  church,  that  there 
is  a  blessing  in  the  covenant  of  which  baptism  is  the  seal,which 
it  is  important  to  secure,  was  still  preserved  among  ns.  And 
we  notice  this  fact,  in  this  connection,  with  the  more  pleasure, 
because  through  the  prevalence  of  false  notions  in  regard  to 
it,  there  are  places  where  the  baptism  of  children  has  come  to 
be  extensively  neglected ;  and  we  are  not  overstating  the  sub- 
ject when  we  add,  greatly  to  the  injury  of  the  children  them- 
selves, and  to  the  cause  of  religion  where  such  negligence  has 
obtained.  The  promise  loas  from  the  beginning,  '•'  to  you  and 
to  your  children ;"  the  apostle  includes  children  in  the  cove- 
nant, as  the  heirs  of  life  together  with  their  parents;  and  now 
if  they  are  born  in  the  covenant,  and  born  subjects  of  the  pro- 
mise of  the  convenant,  who  can  say  that  the  seal  of  the  cove- 
nant ought  not  to  be  applied  to  them  ?  It  is  a  wrong  done  to 
them  not  to  apply  it ;  and  there  are  numerous  facts  to  prove 
that  God  does  not  favor  the  wrong  or  bless  it.  Prudence  says 
to  every  parent.  Throw  every  guard  around  your  child  that  it 
is  possible  for  you  to  employ ;  store  his  mind  with  truth,  and 
fill  his  heart  and  conscience  with  holy  memories.  The  time 
will  come  when  he  will  feel  the  need  of  them  all,  to  enable 
him  to  resist  temptation  and  breast  the  tide  of  passion  which 
is  bearing  him  onward  to  ruin.  You  do  not  love  him  loeJl  and 
wisely  if  you  do  not  do  it.  Your  scrupules  may  prove  his  de- 
struction. You  had  better  lay  them  aside  for  his  sake,  if  not 
for  j-our  own. 

I  have  also  performed  the  marriage  ceremony  on  328  occa- 
sions, and,  with  a  few  exceptions,  with  the  most  happy  results. 
It  is  not  possible  now  to  enumerate  the  funerals  which  have 
been  attended.  For  many  years  it  was  not  usual  to  keep  any 
account  of  the  deaths  which  occurred,  and  so,  until  recently, 
no  record  was  made.  One  thing  is  certain,  however,  that  the 
ravages  of  the  destroyer  have  been  destructive  and  constant 
in  the  midst  of  us.  Perhaps  the  results  have  not  been  more 
fatal  than  the  laws  of  human  mortality  necessitate,  but  they 
have  broken  up  many  happy  homes,  left  many  hearts  deso- 
late, and  affected  seriously,  for  a  time,  the  prosperity  and 


MEMORIAL    SKliMONS.  113 

strcng-tli  of  tlie  cliiii'cli  of  our  God.  Some  of  our  best  men, 
strongest  men,  most  zealous  and  attaclied  men,  have  been  taken 
from  us  bj  death.  Their  counsels  were  always  wise,  their  in- 
fluence was  directed  to  do  most  good,  and  their  hands  were 
uniformlj'-  open  when  the  interests  of  religion  required  them 
to  give.  Few  churches  have  had  so  many  devoted  and  pray- 
ing men  to  uphold  the  honor  of  the  Redeemer's  name,  and 
bring  down  blessings  from  above.  They  lived  to  do  good,  and 
their  memory  is  cherished.  It  remains  in  the  midst  of  us  as 
a  divine  odor,  and  makes  it  pleasant  to  recall  it  in  our  solemn 
services.  It  will  be  preserved  long  to  their  praise,  and  will 
never  cease  to  be  honored  in  the  congregation  of  the  children 
of  God  on  high. 

"When  we  begin  a  survey  of  what  was  this  congregation  thirty- 
five  years  since,  and  go  from  house  to  house,  the  clianges  are  al- 
]nost  universal.  On  the  south  side  of  the  river  there  are  only 
four  houses  occupied  as  they  were  on  the  day  when  I  commenced 
to  minister  here.  On  the  north  side  of  the  river  there  are  but 
three.  In  the  village  there  are  three,  and  one  which  belongs 
to  the  other  church.  And  of  the  families  who  occupied  all  of 
them,  there  are  only  two  which  remain  as  they  then  were  ; 
and  ail  the  rest  are  l)roken — many  broken  up  entirely,  and 
scattered.  Happy  homes  they  were — at  least,  many  of  them  ! 
Tliev  had  their  altars,  and  the  mornino;  and  evenino-  incense 
ascended  daily,  far  mure  generally  than,  I  fear,  it  now  does. 
They  had  not  lost  tlie  pov/ei"  of  that  great  outpouring  of  the 
Spirit  which  had  just  been  experienced.  There  was  an  unc- 
tion and  a  tenderness  in  their  piety  which  our  colder  and  more 
fornuil  spirit  fatally  lacks.  They  were  "a  generation  fearing 
God  and  keeping  his  commandments."  Their  love  was  warm, 
because  it  had  been  kindled  wlien  the  fires  burned  brightlv. 
I  slK>uld  like  to  recite  their  names,  but  1  can  not  trust  myself 
to  begin  the  catalogue.  My  veneration  for  them  is  too  deep, 
too  delicate,  and  too  tender  to  pci-init  it. 

They  welcomed  me  here  when  I  was  young,  and  sanguine, 
and  inexperienced;  they  cherished  and  supported  me  while 
they  lived;  they  were  my  friends,  counselors,  and  protectors. 
My  reputation  was  precious  to  them,  and  they  guarded  it ;  my 
labors  were  appreciated  more  than  they  merited,  and  they  ac- 


]  IJ:  MEMORIAL    SERMONS. 

ceptcd  tliem  ;  iny  wants  were  anticipated  and  supplied,  as  only 
kindness  knows  liow  to  supply.  They  did  not  regard  it  as  a 
charity,  but  performed  it  as  a  duty,  and  expected  to  be  blessed 
as  they  w^re  blessing.  I  shall  venerate  them  as  long  as  I  live, 
and  hope  to  go  to  join  them  in  the  assembly  of  the  blessed, 
where  they  are  now  praising  God  for  the  redemption  of  his 
Son.  These  are  some  of  "•  the  former  things,"  and,  if  not 
'■'old.;''  are  at  least ^>«.s-^. 

We  now  proceed  to  notice  specifically  some  of  the  events  of 
tlie  last  five  years.  In  estimating  the  character  of  this  portion 
of  our  history,  it  is  important  to  consider  the  state  of  the  pub- 
lic mind.  It  opened  in  the  midst  of  that  great  convulsion^ 
which  will  ever  be  remembered  in  our  annals,  because  of  the 
intensely  interesting  events  which  were  crowded  into  it,  and 
the  important  changes  which  have  resulted  from  it.  These  do 
not  belong  to  such  a  review  as  we  now  contemplate,  except  in 
the  personal  exigencies  which  they  created.  A  great  national 
excitement  can  not  pass  without  affecting  the  church  ;  and  this 
to  which  we  refer  embodied  in  it  so  many  questions  connected 
with  morals  and  Christian  sentiment  that  it  shook  almost  every 
church  to  its  centre.  Ministers  had  to  mark  out  a  path  for 
themselves;  and  the  difiiculty  in  following  it,  when  marked 
out,  was  found  in  the  division  of  sentiment  among  the  people, 
and  the  uncharitableness  with  Avhich  each  party,  and  almost 
every  individual,  regarded  those  who  diifered  from  them.  We 
decided  early,  and  adhered  to  our  convictions,  and  have  never 
yet  seen  any  reason  to  regret  the  course  we  pursued.  We 
could  not  pursue  any  other.  We  had  promised  in  the  begin- 
ning to  "know  nothing  among  you  save  Jesus  Christ  and  him 
crucified."  We  claimed  tlie  right  to  have  our  private  opi- 
nions, but  publicly  we  adhered  "  to  the  law  and  to  the  testi- 
mony," and  preached  the  Gospel  and  nothing  but  the  Gospel. 
We  allowed  the  right  of  private  judgment  in  others,  and  en- 
deavored to  maintain  charity  with  all  men,  but  insisted  that 
the  Sabbath  was  sacred  to  religion,  and  the  pulpit  only  rightly 
employed  when  teaching  it,  and  it  alone.  AVe  were  always 
sure  that  calmer  hours  Avould  justify  such  a  com-se,  and  results 
prove  it  to  have  been  wise  and  safe.  We  have  not  been  dis- 
appointed.    To-day,  as  a  cliurch,  we  occupy  a  proud  eminence. 


MEMORIAL   SERMONS.  115 

God  has  blessed  us,  and  we  bless  God  tliat  lie  enabled  iis  to  be 
faithful !  Our  numbers  have  gone  on  increasing,  our  pros- 
perity has  been  uniform,  and  now  we  are  at  peace,  and  we  are 
overflowing.  The  place  is  too  strait  for  us,  and  the  crj  comes 
up  on  our  ears  every  day,  "  Lengthen  the  cords  of  your  taber- 
nacle and  strengthen  the  stakes  ;  make  room,  that  the  people 
may  dwell  comfortably." 

We  have  received  into  our  communion  during  the  last  live 
years  lOi  individuals.  This  is  more  than  20  each  year,  and  is  re- 
markable in  the  uniformity  which  it  exhibits  with  the  increase 
of  the  whole  period  of  thirty-five  years.  The  fact  is,  it  could 
hardly  have  been  expected,  considering  the  state  of  the  public 
mind.  AYar  is  a  dreadful  evil.  It  debauches  the  public  mind 
so  rapidly,  and  demoralizes  the  public  heart  so  extensively; 
it  occupies  the  public  attention  so  entirely,  and  debases  and 
destroys  so  many  things  that  are  holy.  It  is  worse  than  the 
pestilence,  for  it  sweeps  so  many  young  men  into  bloody 
graves,  and  corrupts  so  fatally  those  who  live  and  return. 
We  were,  indeed,  mercifully  spared  in  being  called  to  give  so 
few  to  the  slaughter,  to  the  diseases  incident  to  a  camp-life, 
and  the  corruptions  engendered  there. 

That  the  cliureh  should  have  grown  and  prospered  as  much 
during  the  storm  and  the  convulsion  as  in  sunshine  and  in 
])eace,  can  be  ascribed  to  nothing  so  much  as  to  the  special 
favor  of  heaven.  Let  us  remember  it  to  the  praise  of  God  and 
to  the  confirmation  of  our  faith.  It  proves  that  it  is  best 
always  to  do  right,  and  leave  the  Almighty  to  defend  it.  lie 
is  "  a  munition  of  rocks,"  and  his  servants  "  never  trust  in  him 
in  vain." 

There  have  been  only  about  thirty  children  bapti/cd  during 
the  five  years  we  are  reviewiuix.  This  number  is  exceedinjrlv 
small,  and  I  am  led,  on  this  account,  to  call  attention  to  it.  It 
can  be  accounted  for  only  in  two  ways :  First,  that  a  large 
proportion  of  our  families  are  aged,  or  at  least  past  middle 
life  ;  or,  second,  that  there  is  a  growing  carelessness  in  regard 
to  the  importance  of  consecrating  their  offspring  to  God.  To 
which  of  these  is  the  fact  whi(;h  exists  to  be  attributed  ?  We 
are  disposed  to  believe,  to  neither  the  one  nor  the  other  exclu- 
sively, but  in  a  measure  to  both.     There  is  an  actis'c  denomi- 


110  MEMOKIAL   SERMON'S. 

nation  who  oppose  infant  baptism,  and  it  wonld  be  strano-e  if 
their  perpetual  efforts  to  excite  attention  to  the  subject  did 
not  produce  some  effect.  Now,  this  ought  to  be  considered  bj 
us,  and  corresponding  efforts  made  in  resistance  to  such  a  great 
evil,  for  it  is  unquestionably  a  great  evil.  We  could  adduce 
facts  to  prove  it  to  be  such.  It  is  seen  in  its  effect  upon  tlie 
young,  who  grow  up  witliout  that  sense  of  intimacy  of  relation 
to  God  which  a  baptized  child  has,  and  are  therefore  more 
subject  to  temptation.  It  is  seen  in  its  effects  upon  parents, 
who  imagine  they  are  less  responsible  for  the  training  of  their 
unbaptized  children  than  they  w^ould  have  been  if  they  conse- 
crated them  to  him  and  promised  to  bring  them  up  in  his  fear. 
"VVe  regard  the  growing  indifference  of  parents,  therefore,  to 
the  baptism  of  their  children  as  a  serious  evil,  and  one  which 
will  soon  make  itself  manifest  in  a  laxity  of  life  and  a  thought- 
less disregard,  on  the  part  of  the  young,  to  the  duties  of  reli- 
gion. Youthful  impiety  is,  in  fact,  becoming  an  alarming 
evil.  Our  young  men  seem  to  be  imbibing  principles  and 
adopting  practices  among  themselves  which  are  rapidly  de- 
praving them.  If  some  remedy  is  not  found  and  some  restraint 
thrown  over  their  courses,  many  of  them  are  destined  to  ruin. 
There  is  no  foresight  required  to  predict  this.  But  this  is  not 
all.  The  church  needs  these  young  men.  They  ought  to  be 
her  Sabbath-school  teachers,  her  choir-singers,  her  Bible-dis- 
tributors ;  but  instead  of  this,  you  meet  them  in  the  street 
with  a  filthy  pipe  between  their  teeth,  scenting  God's  pure  air 
with  their  vile  breath,  and  making  every  thing  abominable 
around  them — making  themselves  every  thing  but  what  a 
youno;  irentleman  ouii:;ht  to  be. 

The  past  five  years,  though  filled  with  agitation  and  excite- 
ment in  the  outer  world,  have  been  years  of  peace  and  har- 
mony in  this  cliurch.  The  few  who  fell  away  in  its  commence- 
ment we  could  well  afford  to  lose  ;  and  their  places  have  been 
supplied  by  those  who  were  one  ^\\t\\  us  in  sentiment  and  feel- 
ina:.  The  church  has  been  growins:  more  and  more  homo- 
geneous  every  year,  and  the  bands  that  bind  it  together  have 
become  stronger  and  stronger.  Our  peace  in  the  future  seems 
assured,  and  will  be  perpetual,  unless  we  foolishly  and  reck- 
lessly disturb  it  ourselves.     This  I  am  persuaded  you  will  not 


MEMORIAL    SERMONS.  117 

do.  It  is  too  great  a  sin  to  be  tlie  means  of  scliism  and  strife 
and  divisions  in  tlie  house  of  God  ;  and  if  you  do  not  do  it,  you 
have  only  to  go  on  and  prosper. 

Death  has  been  busy  during  a  part  of  this  period  ;  and  we 
liave  suffered  more  through  his  doings  than  througli  any  other 
ao-encv.  We  have  lost  laro-elv  in  numbers,  and  those  who 
were  taken  have  been  some  of  our  strongest  and  Ijest  men. 
The  green  grass  whicli  grows  on  their  graves  is  not  as  fresh 
as  tlieir  memories  will  long  bo,  and  the  sear  and  yellow  leaves 
which  are  falling  on  them  to-day  are  not  as  mournful  as  the 
thoughts  which  come  over  our  hearts  as  we  recall  their  many 
virtues,  now  forever  faded  and  gone  !  "We  could  ill  afford  to 
lose  them — so,  at  least,  we  thought ;  but  God  took  them  be- 
cause their  work  was  done,  and  their  rest  waiting  for  them. 
The  prayers  of  some  of  them  had  edified  us  long ;  and  tlic 
example  of  all  had  been  a  testimony  for  good  to  all  who  knew 
them.  They  gave  generously  out  of  their  means  to  every  good 
cause,  and  were  faithful  in  their  day  and  generation,  and  went 
to  a  treasure  which  was  laid  up  for  them  before  God.  They 
were  good  men,  and  "  goodness,"  says  the  poet,  "  is  beauty  in 
its  highest  state."  Ills  end  is  peace  ;  for  the  "  angels  are  round 
the  good  man  to  catch  tlic  incense  of  his  prayers,"  and  bring 
him  with  it  into  heaven. 

"And  they  fly  to  minister  kindness  to  those  for  whom  lie 
pleadeth  ;"  and  what  a  benefit  and  blessing  to  our  poor  and 
suffering  humanity,  to  give  wings  to  such  swift  messengers, 
and  speed  tliem  on  their  errands  of  compassion,  lov^e,  and 
humanity  !  It  is  a  vocation  which  the  best  might  well  covet. 
and  make  an  effort  to  share.  It  is  an  honor  more  to  be  coveted 
than  to  shine  in  courts,  or  to  be  caressed  by  the  ga3^     Yes, 

"  Some  tliere  are,  by  tlieir  good  deeds  exalted, 
Lofty  minds  and  meditative,  authors  of  delight 
And  happiness,  which  to  the  end  of  time 
Will  live,  and  spread,  and  llourish." 

It  has  been  said  that  ''  doing  good  is  the  only  action  of 
man's  life  that  is  certainly  happ}',  and  that  can  never  retui-n 
to  him  in  sorrow  or  regrets."  How  happy,  then,  some  of  thorn 
must  have  been  wlio  did  so  much  good  ;  and  how  glorious 
their  reward  must  be  before  God,  where  they  are  now  reaping 
the  fruits  of  their  labors  in  joy  and  ]»rai>c. 
8 


118  MEMOEIAL   SERMONS, 

Passing  now  from  tlie  memory  of  tlie  dead  to  a  consideration 
of  tlie  living  present,  we  notice  and  remark  the  state  in  Avliicli 
we  find  onrselves.  AV^e  have  a  nnnierous  and  increasing  con- 
2;reo;ation  in  the  midst  of  this  thriving  commnnity,  o-rowino*  in 
intelligence  and  in  wealth  every  day.  We  can  not  and  onght 
not  to  shnt  onr  eyes  to  this  great  fact.  It  presents  a  problem 
which  we  shall  be  called  upon  necessarily  to  solve  ;  and  the 
solution  we  give  to  it  will  affect  us  in  spite  of  ourselves.  As 
we  have  said,  the  place  is  too  strait  for  us.  lumbers  are 
standing  at  our  doors  and  asking  to  be  admitted  to  a  share  in 
our  privileges  and  our  prosperity:  shall  we  attend  to  their 
request  or  deny  it  ?  There  are  fourteen  families  asking  for 
seats  in  our  sanctuary  ;  not  for  a  single  person,  or  for  two  or 
three,  but  sgats  to  accommodate  them  as  we  ourselves  are 
accommodated.  It  is  said  there  is  room  for  them  all,  and  so 
there  is.  We  could  take  them  into  our  pews,  and  seat  them  ; 
but  this  is  not  what  they  require.  They  want  pews  of  their 
own,  for  themselves  and  for  their  cliildren,  I  have  said  once 
already  that  if  we  fail  to  give  them  room  Ave  shall  make  the 
greatest  mistake  we  have  ever  made,  and  I  repeat  it  again  to- 
day. They  may  stand  at  our  door  for  a  little  wdiile  longer 
and  w^ait  our  pleasure,  but  we  can  not  expect  them  to  continue 
to  stand  there.  We  Avould  not  ourselves  stand  there  in  their 
position  long.  If  they  come  in,  they  Avill  share  in  our  pros- 
perity, and  assist  us  in  bearing  the  burdens  which  we  bear. 
If  we  refuse  tliem  a  Avelcome,  they  wdll  carry  it  all  to  some 
other  place ;  and  they  will  do  it  soon  !  Can  we  afford  to  let 
them  do  this  ?  Are  w^e  prepared  to  see  another  congregation 
organized  in  this  village,  and  growing  up  out  of  our  strength  ? 
I  retain  a  vivid  recollection  of  the  struggle  which  a  similar 
state  of  things  entailed  upon  us  when  I  first  came  here,  and 
Avhcn,  because  the  place  w^as  too  strait,  and  there  was  no  dis- 
position to  Aviden  it,  the  congregation  broke  up  into  two  bands, 
each  striving  for  a  mere  existence,  almost,  for  years.  We 
Avaited  then  until  it  Avas  too  late,  and  Ave  may  do  so  again. 
But  I  Avarn  you  of  Avhat  is  coming;  and  I  beseech  you  to 
attend  to  it  in  time.  There  is  danger  in  delay,  and  cA^ery 
moment  increases  it.  We  can  not  move  too  soon.  It  cost 
those   Avho    made  the  mistake  before  thousands  to  maintain 


MEMORIAL    SERMONS.  119 

their  position,  and  it  will  not  cost  us  any  less.  AVe  must  arise 
and  build,  or  sit  here  and  see  others  rejoicing  in  the  prosperity 
which  we  refuse  to  appropriate  to  our  own  enlargement. 
Prudence  never  waits  until  the  evil  is  upon  it.  It  foresees  it 
and  provides  against  it  before  it  comes.  Jh-ethren,  be  warned 
in  time.  It  is  not  for  myself  I  plead.  I  shall,  probably,  have 
finished  my  labors.liere  before  it  comes  ;  but  some  of  you  will 
be  here  to  repent  at  leisure,  when  repentance  has  come  too 
late.  We  have  already  lost  the  summer  which  ought  to  have 
seen  us  to-day  in  this  house,  enlarged  and  beautified,  with 
capacity  enough  to  receive  all  who  desire  to  share  with  us  in 
our  worship,  our  communion,  and  our  praises.  When  the 
second  temple  was  partially  rebuilt,  and  then,  because  the 
people  had  become  supine  and  careless,  was  left  imiinished, 
the  prophet  was  sent  to  cry  in  the  ears  of  the  people,  "  Is  it 
for  you,  O  ye,  to  sit  in  your  ceiled  houses,  and  this  house  to 
lie  Avastef  We  repeat  this  cry  to-day  in  your  ears,  and  say. 
Build,  build,  build  !  You  owe  it  to  yourselves  and  to  the  in- 
terests of  righteousness  in  this  community ;  and  he  is  not  a 
wise  friend  who  advises  you  to  any  thing  else,  or  refuses  to 
lend  a  helping  hand.  Xo,  he  shuts  his  ears  supinely  to  the 
lessons  which  every  day  are  being  repeated  to  him  louder  and 
louder. 

The  action  of  the  congregation  on  Monday  last  is  a  step  in 
tlie  right  direction.  That  step  has  been  greatly  needed,  and 
will  result  in  great  good  to  the  church.  When  we  have  be- 
come accustomed  to  it,  we  will  never  think  of  changing  to  the 
old  form.  For  a  short  space  of  time  it  will  have  the  eti'ect  of 
making  room  for  tliose  who  are  standing  at  our  doors;  and 
the  labor  which  has  been  requij'cd  to  keep  the  financial  affairs 
of  the  church  in  a  prosperous  condition,  can  now  be  directed 
to  other  important  ends  by  which  all  will  be  benefited. 

And  now  as  to  practical  things,  AV^e  need  to  cultivate  a 
more  liberal  s]>irit.  "  The  love  of  monc}',"  says  the  apostle, 
"  is  the  root  of  all  evil."  This  is  true,  and  it  is  specially  true 
in  religion.  '*  There  is  that  givetli  and  yet  increaseth  ;  and 
that  withholdetii  more  than  is  meet,  aiul  it  tendeth  to  poverty." 
Blessing  others  is  the  surest  way  of  being  blessed  ourselves. 
I  have  felt  occasion  to  say  before,  and  repeat  it  again,  that  we 


120  MEMORIAL    SERMONS. 

are  faulty,  not  so  inucli  in  not  giving,  as  in  nut  giving  wisely. 
There  is  a  principle  in  Clu'istian  charity  ;  there  is  the  mani- 
festation of  a  spirit  of  obedience  to  God.  Giving  from  excite- 
ment, under  pressure,  or  from  emulation,  is  not  doing  it  as 
unto  the  Lord.  AVe  should  give  as  we  pray,  as  we  deny  our- 
selves, as  wo  mahe  sacrifices  of  obedience  ;  and  a  certain 
amount  of  giving  is  necessary  to  our  own  s'piritual  prosperity" 
and  growth  in  grace.  A  high  state  of  religious  enjoyment 
and  comfort  is  inconsistent  with  a  penurious  spirit.  It  is 
natural  that  it  is  so,  and  it  is,  moreover,  a  fact.  There  are 
thousands  who  are  not  liberal  enough  to  be  rich,  and  numerous 
exaniples  prove  it. 

"VVe  need  to  cultivate  a  higher  tone  of  religious  sentiment. 
Progress,  enjoyment,  profit  in  spiritual  things,  all  depend 
upon  warm-hearted  piety.  There  is  a  state  of  outward  de- 
cency that  is  as  good  as  nothing  ;  and  tliere  is  also  a  state  of 
fervent,  elevated  piety  that  brings  with  it  almost  all  things. 
There  are  those  who  advance,  and  there  are  those,  too,  who 
hardly  know  whether  they  believe  and  love,  or  whether  they 
do  not.  Onr  social  meetings  show  the  depressed  state  in  wliicli 
the  spirit  of  piet^^  exists  among  us  Just  nou\  It  is  not  what  it 
once  was,  nor  what  it  ought  to  be.  Like  many  other  good 
things  of  the  past,  it  seems  to  me  sometimes  as  almost  to  be 
dying  out.  Those  who  once  attended  constantly  all  our  social 
meetings  have  forgotten  and  deserted  them.  Our  young  peo- 
ple seem  to  find  something  to  interest  them  more,  and  seldom 
come ;  and  some  of  those,  even,  who  have  professed  religion 
seem  to  think  that  it  is  not  necessary  for  them  to  attend  any 
other  than  the  Sabbath  services.  All  this  is  an  evil  that  needs 
correction,  and  until  it  is  corrected  the  church  will  not  pros- 
per as  it  ought.     We  beseech  you  to  see  that  it  is  corrected. 

We  need  a  refreshing  of  the  Holy  Spirit.  Tliis  alone  can 
connnunicate  the  power  which  converts,  elevates,  enlivens,  and 
enlarges  the  church  :  and  it  is  a  heavenly  gift ;  a  gift  to  be 
sought  by  special  ])rayer  ;  a  gift  which  God  has  special  plea- 
sure always  in  bestowing,  and  which  he  never  withholds  any 
longer  than  it  is  necessary  that  it  should  be  withheld  in  order 
that  we  may  profit  by  it.  Let  ns  ask  it.  Let  us  agree  to  ask 
it  in  the  faitli  of  the  promise,  "  If  two  of  you  shall  agree  on 


MEMORIAL    SERMONS.  .  121 

cai'tli,  as  toncliiiig  any  tiling  that  tliey  shall  ask,  it  shall  be 
done  for  them  of  my  Father  which  is  in  lieaven.'' 

The  youth  belonging  to  the  congregation  need  to  have  a 
higher  sense  of  the  value  and  the  importance  of  religion  as  a 
possession  brought  home  to  them  by  Christian  example.  It  is 
the  pearl  of  great  price.  It  is  the  noblest  possession  and  en- 
joyment to  be  found.  It  makes  us  rich  in  all  things,  and  the 
want  of  it  makes  us  poor,  even  though  we  should  be  rich  in 
every  thing  else.  Our  .young  people  do  not  seem  to  think 
this,  or  believe  it ;  but,  on  the  other  hand,  appear  to  feel  that 
the  consideration  of  the  subject  may  be  postponed  without 
any  thing  being  lost.  Some  are  so  frivolous  and  so  vain  that 
they  apparently  scarcely  think  at  all.  Pleasure  is  their  god, 
and  they  idolize  it.  Sin  is  sweet,  and  they  live  for  it.  God 
and  eternity  are  afar  off,  and  they  neglect  them.  O  foolish 
youth!  How  much  repentance  there  is  created  a  necessity 
for;  all  this  irreligion  and  Avrong  will  be  food  for  remorse,  or 
the  evil  of  it  will  pursue  you  through  this  world  aiul  into  the 
next. 

We  need  a  more  general  activity  in  the  whole  church.  As 
long  as  only  a  few  labor  to  do  good,  the  work  will  bo  onerous 
and  but  little  will  be  effected.  In  our  Sunday-schools,  in  our 
prayer-meetings,  wherever  good  is  to  be  done,  we  need  the 
activity  of  all  our  Cliristian  men.  There  is  room  for  them  all, 
and  there  is  need  for  the  work  of  all.  Christians  are  required 
to  feel  this,  and  occupy  themselves  until  their  Master  comes, 
and  they  should  make  conscience  of  it.  The  greatest  evil  we 
have  to  struggle  with  is  the  isolati<»n  in  which  the  few  active 
spirits  are  left.  Our  prayer-meeting  is  made  up  of  a  few,  our 
lectures  are  attended  by  a  few.  lousiness  is  the  excuse  ;  but 
remember,  you  will  have  to  make  time  to  die  ;  and  when  you 
(^ome  to  that  solemn  hour,  you" will  feel  that  you  ought  to  have 
made  leisure  to  prepare  for  it. 

In  conclusion,  we  are  now  to  enter  upon  another  division 
of  time.  AVhat  is  bt'fore  us  I  can  not  j)rognosticate  or  detine. 
The  generation  Avhich  has  ])assed  away,  I  knew  and  trusted. 
The  generaticm  which  now  is,  I  do  not  pretend  to  know  as 
well.  We  have  tiic  promise  that  instead  of  the  fathers  their 
children  shall  be.     They  are  here,  but  will  they  be  like  their 


122  *  MEMORIAL   SERMONS. 

fathers — as  zealous,  as  enduriiio-,  as  faitliful  ?  God  only 
knows,  and  the  future  only  can  determine.  We  are  disposed 
to  be  hopeful,  and  trust  in  his  name  and  grace,  as  we  have 
hitherto  trusted,  "We  have  faith  that  our  trust  will  not  prove 
to  be  "  a  vain  confidence." 

Our  life  has  passed  beyond  its  bloom  and  its  freshness. 
Its  summer  is  past  and  its  autumn  is  coming.  The  fresh 
strength  of  youthful  days  is  gone,  and  the  activity  wdiich  once 
was,  is  no  more.  We  can  not,  therefore,  promise  any  thing 
which  we  have  not  given.  Experience  ought  to  teach  wisdom, 
but  it  sometimes  brings  fear  as  well ;  and  caution  may  become 
inactive. 

We  have  not  discovered  any  new  things,  and  we  can  not 
propose  any  new  methods  of  doing  good.  We  believe  in  the 
efficacy  of  preaching  and  prayer,  and  we  do  not  believe  in  any 
thing  else  as  better,  or  more  likely  to  win  souls,  edify  the 
cliurch,  and  promote  the  glory  of  our  Redeemer's  kingdom. 
We  expect  to  meet  discouragements  as  we  have  met  them  ; 
and  we  hope  to  be  able  to  surmount  them.  We  do  not  expect 
to  please  all,  or  to  win  all.  The  Saviour  is  still  in  his  thresh- 
ing-floor, with  his  fan  in  his  hand,  winnowing  his  wheat,  and 
the  chaft'  will  be  blown  oft'  and  rejected.  Of  the  power  of  the 
Gospel  to  convert  souls  we  never  expect  to  despair.  We  in- 
tend to  preach  it,  and  mean  to  do  it  faithfully  and  in  simpli- 
city. The  power  is  from  above  ;  "  Paul  may  plant  and  Apollos 
\vater,  but  the  increase  is  from  God.''  We  have  adhered  to 
the  Gospel  and  preached  it  alone,  and  we  mean  to  adhere  to 
it  in  the  future.  We  have  found  this  course  to  be  right  and 
successful,  and  we  expect  to  find  it  so  to  the  end. 

Whether  we  shall  live  to  see  and  to  improve  another  anni- 
versary or  not,  is  known  only  to  God.  I  can  not  say  that  I  am 
anxious  to  do  so.  The  time  will  come  when  we  shall  cease  to 
admonish  and  warn  you  ;  but  we  protest  before  God  that  "  we 
are  free  from  the  blood  of  all  men."'  Tliose  who  have  not 
lieard  us,  nor  attended  to  our  earnest  efforts  to  instruct  and  to 
save  them,  will  soon  go  to  their  account,  as  we  shall  also  to 
ours.  AVc  tremble  to  think  how  much  they  have  misimproved 
and  lost.     May  they  yet  turn  and  live! 

To'  a  large  extent  the  church  which  is  here  to-day  is  com 


MEMORIAL   SERMOXS.  123 

posed  of  those  wliom  we  liave  gatlierecl  in.  Tlicy  are  tlie 
fruits  of  our  own  labors  and  prayers,  and  we  liave  coniidence 
in  tlieni  tliat  tlicy  Avill  be  our  friends  until  death.  We  expe- 
rience daily  great  yearnings  of  heart  that  they  may  be  faithful, 
become  eminently  pious,  and  find  a  rich  and  lasting  reward  in 
the  kingdom  of  heaven.  We  have  borne  them  on  our  heart, 
and  Avc  mean  to  bear  them  there,  even  in  death ;  and  when 
the  honr  of  separation  comes  we  will  "  commend  them  to  God 
and  to  the  word  of  his  grace,  which  is  able  to  keep  them,  and 
present  them  faultless,  without  spot,  before  the  throne  in  glory." 

(_)ver  the  waywardness  of  the  impenitent  we  have  mourned, 
and  may  yet  iiavc  to  mourn  ;  but  we  pray  them  to  pause  and 
tliink  before  it  is  too  late.  It  will  be  an  awful  thing  to  be 
obliged  to  meet  them  and  testify  against  them  at  the  judg- 
ment-bar, and  we  appeal  to  them  not  to  make  this  necessary. 
Repentance  may  yet  be  found  by  them  all,  and  an  entrance 
secured  into  the  kingdom  of  life.  What  can  we  do  for  tliem 
that  we  have  not  already  done  ?  How  can  we  present  Christ 
more  effectually  M'hen  all  his  attractions  have  already  been 
cxliibited  ?  We  have  unfolded  all  the  depths  of  his  love  and 
tlie  tenderness  of  his  compassion ;  what  can  iwe  do  more  i 
Hear  us,  we  pray  you,  and  turn,  that  you  may  live. 

And  now  the  moment  is  at  hand  when  this  protracted  ser- 
vice is  to  end.  We  have  spoken  freely  but  kindly  ;  hear  ye 
what  we  have  said.  AVe  have  drawn  from  the  former  things 
some  of  the  lessons  which  they  teach.  Those  lessons  we  com- 
mend to  your  serious  and  prayerful  consideration.  Another 
volume  of  accounts  closes  here,  and  a  new  one  will  be  hence- 
f  ortli  opened.  It  is  your  business  and  interest  to  make  it  such 
as  you  Avill  desire  it  to  be,  when  you  come,  to  meet  it  at  the 
judgment-seat  of  Christ. 

Bretln-cn,  I  have  done  S]>eaking  to  you  to-day,  but  I  can  not 
conceal  from  my  own  mind,  and  ought  not  to  conceal  from 
you,  that  we  are  both  to  meet  the  consequences  of  this  speak- 
ing and  hearing  at  a  future  day,  and  to  that  day  time  is  roll- 
ing us  on  with  ceaseless  motion.  We  shall  all  soon  be  tliere, 
but  what  will  it  bring  'i  Are  m'c  prepared  to  meet  it  ?  AVill 
it  be  a  day  of  joyful  deliverance  and  of  happy  recognition,  or 
will  it  be  the  contrary?     This  is  the  important  matter  to  ns 


12-i  MEMORIAL   SERMONS. 

HOW.  I  entreat  you  to  ponder  it  well.  God  lives.  Eternity 
is  coming.  The  judgment  is  prepared.  Heaven  must  receive 
us,  or  perdition  be  our  portion.  God  grant  tliat  vre  may  all 
enter  into  the  joy  of  the  Lord !  AVe  commend  you  to  God 
and  to  the  word  of  his  grace.  There  is  but  one  hope  of  life. 
It  is  in  Christ.  See  to  it  that  you  build  on  that  foundation, 
and  may  God  help  you  I     Amen. 


THE    EIGHTH    MEMOEIAL    SEEMON. 

Pkeached  Tuesday,  Oct.  29Tir,  1872. 

G  O  D      "W  I  T  ir      U  S       F  O  K  T  Y      Y  E  A  II  S  . 

"These  forty  years  the  Lord  thy  God  hath  been  with  thee." — DEUTERO- 
NOMY 2  :  7. 

These  words  were  originally  spoken  to  Moses,  and  were  in- 
tended as  an  encouragement  to  liini  in  view  of  future  difficul- 
ties. We  employ  tliem  as  an  appropriate  motto,  suggestive  of 
many  of  the  thoughts  which  crowd  upon  our  memories,  and 
press  for  utterance,  in  connection  with  these  commemorative 
services.  We  feel  no  one  sentiment  more  deeply  than  the  ac- 
knowledgment that  "  God  has  been  with  lis  these  forty  years,'' 
We  are  jierfectly  conscious  that  nothing  hut  his  supporting, 
guiding,  and  instructing  presence  could  have  enabled  lis  to  do 
the  work,  support  the  burdens,  and  meet  the  responsibilities  of 
such  a  protracted  service  in  the  position  we  have  occupied. 
AVe  are  here,  and  Ave  are  what  we  are,  and  have  done  what 
has  been  done,  because  he  has  enabled  us  to  do  it.  We  ac- 
knowledge God's  favor  in  all,  and  we  erect  here  our  "  Ebene- 
zer,"  and  praise  his  great  and  holy  name  ! 

The  day  is  an  anniversary,  and  we  intend  to  devote  it  to  a 
review  of  the  work  tliat  lias  been  done,  and  to  the  making  of 
a  record  of  God's  gracious  hel}).  We  are  fully  prepared  to 
testify  that  "  goodness  and  mercy  have  followed  us  all  our 
days,"  and,  when  we  think  of  our  own  agency,  to  exclaim, 
"Kot  unto  us,  O  Lord,  but  unto  tliy  name,  be  the  })raise !" 
God  has  been  khuUn  with  us  all  these  forty  years ;  and  no 
one  can  feel  more  vivid i_y  than  we  do,  that  if  he  had  not 
been  "our  h('l})er,"  we  could  not  have  continued  here  so  long 
to  witness  for  him  !  We  ai'e  sensible  of  a  great  pleasure,  and 
we  enjoy  a  great  triunipli ;  but,  at  the  same  time,  we  experi- 


"126  MEMOEIAL   SERMONS. 

ence  emotions  of  tlie  most  varied  and  opposite  kinds.  Our 
joy  and  onr  triumph  is  mixed  with  sadness.  Here,  in  the 
presence  of  tlie  living,  we  remember  tlie  dead  ;  and  "  the  dear 
departed  ones,"  how  many  of  them  rise  up  to  our  Adew  !  And 
they  were  so  kind  to  us  !  Many  of  them  were  such  eminent 
Christians  ;  and  they  were  so  long  our  friends — our  trusted 
friends  ! 

The  forty  years  Avhieh  Ave  are  to  review  have  been  Avit- 
uesses  to  some  most  mighty  changes  in  the  affairs  of  our 
Avorld ;  and  the  advances  Avhicli  have  been  made  Avill  ever 
continue  to  be  menu)rable.  Europe  has  changed  its  political 
aspect  almost  entirely.  The  spirit  of  liberty  has  been  victo- 
rious in  every  field  of  conflict.  Light  has  radiated  upon  some 
of  the  darkest  places  in  the  moral  Avorld.  The  Avork  of 
missions  has  been  prosecuted  Avith  marked  success,  and  many 
almost  uidooked-for  results  have  been  reached.  The  poAver 
of  the  Papacy  has  crumbled  and  dwindled  aAvay  until  it  is 
almost  nothing,  and  the  Avhole  Avorld  now  is  open  to  the 
Gospel ! 

The  navigation  of  the  ocean  by  steam,  the  transmission  of 
intelligence  by  the  telegraph,  the  system  of  railroad-travel — 
all  fall  Avithin  the  limits  of  the  last  forty  years.  The  Bible 
Society,  the  Tract  Society,  and  the  A^arious  missionary  societies, 
though  some  of  them  had  been  organized,  may  still  be  said  to 
have  commenced  their  work,  and  to  have  become  conscious  of 
their  strength,  only  as  the  action  included  in  tlie  last  forty 
years  has  given  them  exiperience.  The  position  Avhich  has 
been  reached  to-day  is  far  in  advance  of  that  AAdiich  they 
occupied  at  the  commencement  of  the  period  of  Avhicli  we 
speak.  In  fact,  a  great  work  has  been  done  and  a  great 
triumj)li  Avon  Avithin  the  past  forty  years  ! 

In  our  OAvn  Ancinity  the  beginning  of  this  period  was  the 
beginning  of  cdmost  every  thing.  The  canal  connecting  the 
Avaters  of  the  DelaAvare  Avitli  the  Raritan,  one  of  the  most  im- 
portant avenues  of  commerce  in  Avliich  Ave  pride  ourselves,  and 
from  Avhich  Ave  reap  most  important  advantages,  was  just 
then  being  opened.  All  the  railroads  across  the  State,  except 
the  one  from  Amboy  to  Camden,  have  been  built  since.  Tl)c 
Avater-poAver  AAdiich   has  occasioned  tlie  existence  of  another 


MEMORIAL    SERMONS.  *      127 

Yillao'G  in  (»nr  imincdiate  vicinitv,  alrciidv  almost  equal  to 
our  own,  and  destined,  at  no  distant  day,  perhaps,  to  outstrip 
it,  was  planned  and  completed  after  this  period  commenced. 

The  agricultural  community  around  us  Avas  just  bcginnina- 
to  awake  to  a  sense  of  their  advantages,  and  to  the  importance 
of  improving  their  condition  and  their  lands.  Two  bushels, 
and  in  not  a  few  instances  three  bushels,  of  grain,  are  now 
gathered  where  the  land  then  produced  only  one ;  and  the 
farm-houses,  and  all  the  appointments  of  the  farmsteads,  have 
been  advanced  in  an  equal  proportion.  The  wealth  and  com- 
fort of  the  whole  community  have  even  been  bettered  to  more 
than  a  corresponding  amount.  All  the  former  evidences  ot 
rudeness  and  discomfort  have  disappeared  from  the  prosperous 
farmer's  home,  and  a  commendable  refinement  and  taste  have 
taken  their  places. 

At  the  time  of  which  we  are  speaking,  Somcrville  was  a 
small  village  of  some  sixty-two  dwellings,  with  the  addition 
of  the  court-house,  church,  and  academy.  It  had  three  taverns, 
three  stores,  and  perhaps  five  mechanic  shops.  There  were 
sixty-two  families  living  in.  it,  embracing  about  four  hundred 
and  fifty  souls.  It  had  a  single  newspaper,  and  its  academy 
had,  in  former  years,  proved  a  very  great  advantage  to  it,  in 
the  education  of  its  young  people,  and  in  the  diffusion  of  some 
taste  for  reading  and  mental  culture.  The  inhabitants  of 
Somcrville  were  noted  for  their  intelligence,  the  high  social 
position  which  many  of  them  occupied,  the  pure  morals  which 
prevailed  among  them,  their  excellent  religious  character,  and 
their  general  prosperity  and  happiness  as  men  and  citizens. 
There  was  no  village  in  the  State  which  claimed  mo7'e  of  all 
these  social  advantages,  and  none  which  enjoyed  them  in  a 
larger  and  fuller  measure. 

And  yet,  how  different  from  the  Somcrville  of  today  !  Tt 
had  been  built  along  the  public  road,  afterward  the  turnpike  ; 
and  had  but  one  street,  on  which  all  the  houses,  except  per- 
haps six,  stood.  It  liad  no  sidewalks,  no  shade-trees  besides 
the  few  single  ones  which  had  been  planted  as  fruit-bearing 
trees ;  and  in  winter  the  mud  was  sometimes  literally  fearful 
for  pedestrians  to  encounter.  The  passage  across  the  public 
square  in  front  of  the  church  would  become,  in  certain  states 


"128       •  ME]\[ORIAL   SERMONS. 

of  the  atniosplicre,  a  veritable  '*  slougli  of  daspond  ;"  females 
dared  not  attempt  it. 

The  old  church  stood  on  tliis  very  ground.  It^vas  a  mode- 
rate-sized brick-building,  which  had  been  enlarged  by  an 
addition  of  twenty  feet  in  the  rear,  with  a  small  cupola  and  a 
fine-toned  bell.  Internally  it  was  exceedingly  plain.  The 
pews  had  straight  high  backs  ;  the  wood- work  around  the  pulpit 
was  unpainted,  the  ceiling  formed  of  pine  boards  ;  and  it  had 
long  been  so  crowded  that  the  consistory  had  given  np  their 
•places  and  consented  to  sit  on  chairs  in  front  of  the  pulpit. 
Efforts  had  been  made  to  have  this  building  repaired,  enlarged, 
or  a  new  house  erected,  but  had  proved  in  vain.  Every  body 
saw  and  felt  the  inconvenience  and  insufficiency  of  the  house 
for  the  proper  accommodation  of  the  people  who  assembled  in 
it  for  worship,  but  all  the  remedies  were  in  succession  nega- 
tived by  the  popular  vote.  It  was  a  strange  infatuation,  a 
wonderful  want  of  a  proper  spirit ;  but  it  was  unconquerable. 
This  unwillingness  to  enlarge  and  refit  the  church  edifice 
finally  led,  in  connection  with  another  feeling  existing  at  the 
time,  to  tlie  division  of  the  congregation  and  the  formation  of 
the  second  church.  It  was  a  providential  infiuence,  but  cer- 
tainly no  such  idea  was  taken  into  account  in  the  action  had 
by  the  people. 

In  this  house,  in  1S32,  there  worshiped  a  congregation  of 
at  least  two  hundred  and  seventy  families,  with  three  hundred 
and  twenty-eight  members  in  communion,  and  thirteen  hun- 
dred souls.  On  pleasant  Sabbath  days  it  was  completely 
filled — even  the  galleries  were  crowded  ;  and  the  state  of  re- 
ligious sentiment  was  more  earnest,  active,  and  fervent  than 
it  has  been  at  any  time  since.  Many  who  had  experienced 
convictions  during  the  season  of  the  great  revival,  were  ma- 
turing as  Christians,  and  at  every  communion  season  uniting 
with  the  church.  This  continued  to  increase  our  numbers 
for  several  of  the  first  years  of  my  ministry,  and  seemed  like 
the  gleanings  of  the  great  harvest. 

The  organization  of  the  second  church  was  eftected  entirely 
out  of  individuals  who  had  been  attached  to  this  congregation, 
and  at  the  end  of  the  first  year  they  reported  seventy-six 
families  as  belonging  to  their  communion  ;  and  yet  our  church 


:m  e:\iorial  sei;:\[oxs,  121) 

wa^  not  really  affected  in  any  perinaiieut  way  by  such  a  loss. 
It  liad  in  it  still  abundant  "wcaltli  and  strength  of  numbers, 
and  it  went  on  prospering.  The  strength  in  the  number  of 
families  was  less  in  one  aspect,  but  its  ability  was  quite  equal 
in  another;  and  this  the  future  has  demonstrated.  Iti  1S52 
we  reported  one  hundred  and  seventy  families,  and  four  hun- 
dred and  thirty-four  in  communion ;  in  1802,  one  hundred 
and  ninety  families,  and  four  Imndred  and  fifty-six  in  com- 
munion;  and  this  year,  two  hundred  families,  and  hve  hun- 
dred and  twelve  in  communion. 

In  the  mean  time,  besides  the  second  church  organized  in 
1834,  the  church  at  Boundbrook  beginning  in  1810,  the  third 
church  in  Ilaritan  village  in  1848,  Brancliville  in  1850,  each 
in  turn  took  away  from  us  some  of  our  important  families  ; 
while  the  Methodist  church  organized  in  1833,  the  Baptist 
church  in  1845,  the  Episcopal  church  in  1851,  either  drew 
away  from  us  or  -were  the  means  of  preventing  some  from 
uniting  with  ns.  Indeed,  when  we  consider  all  the  circum- 
stances, our  constant  growth  and  prosperity  is  not  a  little 
wonderful.  It  shows  us  that  diligence,  carefulness,  prayerful- 
ness,  with  a  study  of  "the  things  that  make  for  peace,"  will 
never  fail  in  obtaining  a  blessing  from  the  Lord.  We  have 
given  from  our  own  to  increase  the  strength  of  everv  churcli 
around  ns,  while  we  have  been  growing  in  strength  ourselves! 
The  one  f;ict  tliat  in  1832,  with  two  hundred  and  seventv 
families,  and  after  the  wonderful  ingathering  of  tlie  great  re- 
vival in  1822,  bringing  into  the  church  more  than  three  hun- 
dred members  on  confession  of  faith,  there  were  only  three 
Inmdred  and  twenty-eight  in  communion,  but  now,  with  two 
hundred  families,  we  have  live  hundred  and  twelve  members 
on  our  records,  is,  in  its.elf,  a  sufficient  warrant  for  all  that  we 
claim;  and,  if  we  add  to  this  immber  the  three  hundred  and 
ninety-eight  members  of  the  second  church,  and  also  the  two 
hundred  and  seventy  of  the  third  churcli,  in  all  fourteen  hun- 
dred and  eighty,  we  shall  have  the  fact  of  the  general  prospe- 
rity of  our  denomination  in  this  favored  communitv  most 
abundantly  confirmed.  1'lie  blessing  attendant  upon  the  dis- 
])ensation  of  the  Gospel  has  been  great  indeed  in  all  these 
churches. 


130  MEMORIAL   SERMONS. 

There  is  anotlier  fact  wliicli  demands  our  recognition.  Tliis 
cliurcli  has  been  a  gushing  fountain  from  which  the  Christian 
ministiy  lias  been  generously  supplied.  We  find  on  our  records 
the  following  names  : 

Jolm  Leydt 174.5 

Ferdinaiulus  Freliiiylinysiui 1753 

llynier  Van  Neste 1753 

Elias  Van  Benschoten 17G9 

Matthew  Leydt 1778 

Isaac  Blauvelt 1778 

Conrad  Ten  Eyck 1793 

Abraliam  Brokaw 1793 

Isaac  Van  Doren 1 795 

Jeliiel  Talmage 1813 

Isaac  N.  WyckoiF. 1814 

Brogun  B.  HnflF 1814 

Samu3l  K.  Tahnage 1818 

Jonathan  F.  Morris 1819 

Ferdinand  Vanderveer 1830 

Frederick  F.  Cornell 1823 

Garret  J.  Garretson 1833 

James  R.  Talmage 1833 

Alexander  M.  Mann 1833 

Hugh  G.  Hedges 1889 

Abel  J.  Stewart 1840 

John  A.  Todd 1840 

John  Simonson 1840 

J3hn  Steele 1843 

George  J.  Van  Neste 1843 

Nathaniel  Conklin 1843 

Warren  Taylor 1843 

John  Gaston 1843 

Augustus  F.  Todd 1846 

Peter  Stryker  Talmage 1846 

David  K.  Vaudoren 1856 

A.  M.  Quick  1861=33 

There  are  other  facts  requiring  notice.  The  whole  nuniber 
of  members  in  communion  of  this  church,  from  the  beginning 
on  the  9th  of  March,  1699,  as  now  recorded  on  our  minutes, 
is  fifteen  hundred  and  twenty-nine  (1529),  and  the  whole  num- 
ber received  since  October  29th,  1832,  wdien  I  began  my  ser- 
vices here,  is  seven  hundred  and  sixty-four,  wliicli  is  only  four 
less  than  one  half  of  the  Avhole  number  received  from  the  be- 
frinninjr:  that  is,  the  church  has  c;athered  from  the  world  as 


MEMOllIAL    SEHMOXS.  131 

many,  lackinij;  four,  in  forty  years,  as  it  jiad  done  in  one  Imn- 
drcd  and  thirty-three  years  previous.  I  leave  this  fact  to 
make  its  own  impression. 

It  is  necessary  also  that  we  should  state  another  fact.  The 
proportion  between  those  wlio  liave  entered  our  cliurch  on 
certificate  and  on  confession  of  faith  has  been  as  follows :  Of 
the  former  there  have  been  two  hundred  and  sixty-seven,  of  the 
latter  four  hundred  and  ninety-seven.  Tliese  numbers  show  a 
large  preponderance  of  special  spiritual  influence  in  the  pro- 
gress of  the  church.  And,  adding  to  this  another  fact,  we 
have  the  evidence  of  the  constant  presence  of  the  Holy  Ghost 
in  our  Sabbath-day  assemblies ;  and  that  fact  is,  that  in  our 
various  communion  seasons,  during  all  these  forty  years,  there 
has  been  but  one  without  any  one  uniting  with  the  church  on 
confession  of  faith  ;  and  even  on  that  one  occasion  there  were 
two  who  united  on  certiiicate.  AVlien  I  have  mentioned  this  fact 
to  other  ministers,  it  has  always  been  received  with  surprise. 
Indeed,  I  believe  there  are  few  churches  in  our  land  of  which 
it  is  true,  during  such  a  protracted  series  of  years. 

And  we  may  as  well  in  this  place  introduce  the  other 
statistics  which  belong  to  our  subject.  AVe  have  baptized 
seven  hundred  and  twenty-three  individuals;  of  Avhicli  num- 
ber six  hundred  and  seventy-live  were  infants,  and  forty- 
eight  adults  on  confession  of  their  faith  ;  and  we  have  con- 
lirmed  the  mati'imonial  vows  of  three  hundi-ed  and  sixty- 
nine  couples.  AVe  have  had  in  our  consistory,  not  a  few  times, 
individuals  whom  we  had  first  baptized  and  then  welcomed  to 
the  cummuniun  of  tlie  church.  AV^e  have  married  persons, 
baptized  their  children,  received  them  into  tlie  communion, 
and  again  baptized  their  grandchildren  !  In  this  way  strong- 
ties  have  been  formed  with  many  families,  and  as  tlie  efl'ect  of 
their  existence,  we  have  found  here  ever  strung  and  i'aithfnl 
friends. 

Again,  my  pastorate  in  this  churcli  has  been  the  longest  of 
all  wlio  have  jireceded  me.  The  first  Frelinghuysen  could 
not  have  ministered  more  than  twenty-eight  years,  perhaps 
only  twenty-six,  as  the  date  of  his  decease  is  not  accurately 
ascertained.  The  second  John  Frelinghuysen  died  when  he 
had  been  pastor  only  about  three  and  a  half  jcars.     Jacob 


'  132  MEMORIAL  SERMONS. 

Itiitsen  ITaivleiibnrgli  continued  liis  ministry  for  the  space  of 
nearly  twcnty-tliree  years.  His  successor,  Theodore  Frclingliuy- 
sen  Ilomeyn,  lived  to  preach  here  only  a  little  more  than  ten 
months.  John  Dnryea,  his  successor,  was  pastor  t^velve  years 
and  some  months.  John  S.  Yredenburgh  continued  to  serve 
the  church  twenty-one  years,  and  died,  leaving  to  his  people  a 
most  fruitful  legacy  in  the  glory  of  his  memory  and  in  the 
power  of  his  piety,  which  blossomed  and  matured  in  a  great 
harvest  over  his  grave.  He  was  succeeded,  after  an  interval 
of  nearly  five  years,  by  Richard  D.  Yan  Kleek,  who  continued 
his  labors  less  than  five  years.  The  whole  period  comprehend- 
ed in  these  seven  pastorates  embraces  ninety-four  years  ;  and, 
deducting  from  the  whole  period  of  one  hundred  and  thirty- 
three  years  the  first  twenty,  which  elapsed  before  the  Rev. 
Theodore  J.  Frelinghuysen  came  here  from  Holland,  it  leaves 
as  vacant  years  less  than  nine  in  the  whole  remaining  period. 
This  fact  indicates  a  strong  love  for  the  ordinances  of  Christian 
worship  as  having  prevailed  among  the  people  always,  leading 
them  to  seek  for  another  pastor  as  soon  as  death  or  other 
causes  had  removed  the  one  who  had  before  gone  in  and  out 
in  the  midst  of  them.  Strange  as  it  may  be,  the  longest 
vacancy  was  during  and  after  the  great  revival. 

We  may  also  remark  how  seldom  their  pastors  have  left 
this  church  for  other  fields  of  labor.  Theodorns  J.  Freling- 
huysen, John  Frelinghuysen,  Theodore  Frelinghuysen  Ro- 
meyn,  and  John  S.Yredenburgh,  all  died  in  the  harness  in  the 
full  tide  of  their  success  ;  only  Hardenburgh,  Yan  Kleek,  and 
Duryea  left  for  other  fields  of  labor.  And  why  should 
they  ?  Here  was  enough  to  be  done  ;  hero  work  was  appre- 
ciated when  done.  They  were  treated  kindly,  as  pastors 
ought  to  be,  and  their  wants  were  properly  supplied  by  those 
to  whom  they  ministered,  and  they  had  the  enjoyment  of 
seeing  "  the  pleasure  of  the  Lord  prospering  in  their  hands."' 
The  church  was  at  peace  with  itself,  and  able  to  com- 
mand so  much  of  the  regard  of  the  world  as  to  control  more 
or  less  the  forms  and  customs  of  society,  mailing  it  a  pleasant 
field  to  labor  in.  It  is  an  acknowledged  fact  that  religious 
sentiment  is  more  general,  and  religion  is  more  universally 
respected,  in  Somerset  County,  than  in  almo.-^t  any  other  part 


MEMORIAL   SEIIMOXS.  133 

of  our  favored  laiid.  It  is  the  effect  of  the  earnest  and  evan- 
_li;clical  ministry  which  the  churches  liavc  enjoyed,  and  of  the 
blessing  which  lias  rested  upon  their  labors.  In  its  character, 
this  ministry,  too,  has  been  highly  devoted  and  pure.  The 
grccit  discriminating  doctrines  of  the  Gospel  have  been  fully 
and  faithfully  preached,  and  a  high  tone  of  piety  has,  from  the 
Ijeginning,  been  insisted  on,  as  alone  sufiicient  to  give  a  good 
hope  of  life  eternal.  "  Christ,  and  him  crucified,"  has  been  the 
burden  of  all  the  preaching  to  which  the  people  have  been 
called  to  listen  ;  sensationalism  has  had  no  countenance  here. 
Every  one  of  my  predecessors  in  this  pulpit  have  been  godly 
men,  faithful  men,  and  earnest  men  ;  and  their  ministry  has 
liad  a  blessing  resting  on  it,  making  their  memory  precious  to 
many  when  they  liad  ceased  from  their  labors  and  entered 
into  their  rest. 

But  I  am  forgetting.  My  theme  is  '•'foHy  years,'"'  and  the 
help  of  God  during  all  that  time;  and  in  a  dying,  changing 
world  like  this,  there  is  much  to  say  of  what  has  been,  but  is 
not  now.  The  whole  of  one  generation,  and  nearly  one  third 
of  another,  have  passed  away  !  When  I  think  of  what  was 
here  on  the  first  Sabbath  when  I  began  to  preach  to  this  con- 
gregation, and  then  look  to  see  what  is  here  now,  lam  almost 
overwhelmed.  I  remember  them  all,  many  of  them  affection- 
ately, but  I  do  not  sec  them.  They  were  among  the  living 
on  that  day  ;  they  are  among  the  dead  on  this  day  !  Some 
of  their  children  are  here,  but  many  of  them  have  no  repre- 
sentatives among  ns.  Whole  families  are  either  extinct  or 
scattered !  I  believe  I  am  correct  in  saying  that  there  are 
only  fi\'e  or  six  men  living  who,  as  heads  of  families,  were 
concerned  in  making  out  my  call  and  effecting  my  settlement 
as  pastor  of  this  church.  There  are  some  who  were  not 
licads  of  families,  and  some  who  were  not  witli  us  then  ;  but 
with  these  exceptions,  I  am  preaching  to-day  to  a  people  wlio 
liave  come  to  take  the  places  of  those  who  were  here  when  I 
began  my  work. 

I  have  passed  over  in  my  memory  the  homesteads  of  that 

day,  and  find  on  the  south  side  of  the  river  only  three  which 

have  not  passed  into  other  hands ;  on  the  east  side  of  the 

village  there  are  only  two;  noi  th  of  it  there  are  none;  west 

9 


134  MEMOEIAL   SERMONS. 

of  it  tliere  are  none ;  and,  in  tlie  village  itself,  only  two,  and 
one  belongs  to  a  jnember  of  the  second  clinrcli.  Sncli  is  time  ; 
Bncli  are  the  changes  which  a  few  gliding  years  })]'odace  ;  snch 
are  the  changes  which  are  coming  in  the  future  !  AYhen  I 
think  of  it  all  I  am  almost  in  despair.  Hlxefathei's,  where 
are  thej  ?  and  the  children,  where  are  they  ?  The  ])romise  is 
that  "  they]  shall  be  in  the  place  of  their  fathers  ;"  but,  alas  ! 
alas  !  how  many  of  them  are  not !  In  not  a  few  instances, 
parents  and  children  both  are  not ;  in  others,  they  have  re- 
moved from  among  ns  to  dwell  elsewhere.  But  God's  cove- 
nant has  not  failed,  nor  has  his  church  been  deserted.  In  his 
wise  providence  he  has  provided  for  all  this.  The  church  lives 
even  when  her  members  "  are  gathered  to  their  fathers."  God 
is  not  dependent  npon  one  generation,  or  one  set  of  men,  to 
do  his  work.  lie  holds  the  hearts  of  all  men  in  his  hands, 
and  moves  them  when  he  requires  them  to  do  what  has  been 
appointed  to  be  done.  This  is  our  confidence  ;  and  yet  there 
is  a  duty  incumbent  on  every  generation.  It  requires  them 
to  do  tlie  work  of  their  calling  in  an  earnest,  manful  spirit 
• — to  support  the  church,  to  provide  for  its  enlargement,  to 
maintain  its  ordinances,  to  secure  it  all  the  means  necessary 
to  enable  it  to  do  all  its  work  effectually,  in  preaching  Christ 
xmd  converting  sinners  to  God.  Promptness  in  meeting  all 
these  responsibilities  is  not  duty  alone,  it  is  also  economy  and 
wisdom.  Procrastination  and  sluggishness  arc  hindrances, 
and  sometimes  as  ruinous  in  the  church  as  in  the  business 
affairs  of  hnman  life. 

In  the  families  who  worshiped  in  this  church  when  I  came 
here,  there  has  been  as  mncliof  a  change  as  in  the  other  things 
around  us.  All  of  them  have  had  breaches  made  in  them  by 
death,  except  one  or  two ;  all  of  them  are  broken  up,  except 
some  five  or  six.  There  are  representatives  of  some  ;  and  in 
a  few,  one  of  the  heads  remains  ;  but  the  names  even  of  many 
are  no  more  spoken  among  lis  !  They  have  mingled  wn'th  that 
great  crowd  which  has  passed  through  the  gate  of  death  into 
the  spirit-land.  "We  have  the  impression  of  their  character 
and  the  fruits  of  their  life,  and  hold  them  in  honored  remem- 
brance as  good  men  and  true,  the  friends  of  truth,  the  pillars 
of  this  sanctuary,  and  the  honored  examples  of  practical  godli- 


]^[Ei[ORIAL    SERMONS.  135 

iiess;  but  they  are  not  auioiig  the  living.  AVe  have  known  no 
better  men  than  some  of  them  were,  and  we  shall  lionor  their 
memory  until  our  last  hour  has  come.  Tliey  were  lielpers  in 
our  work  and  in  our  joy. 

Our  village  has  changed  as  much  as  the  other  things  around 
us.  Instead  of  the  sixty-two  dwellings  of  which  we  have 
spoken,  tJiere  are  now  nearly  four  lumdred,  of  which  fifty-seven 
arc  tlie  habitations  of  colored  people.  Instead  of  three  stores, 
there  are  now  forty-three  stores  and  shops  ;  and  the  four  hun- 
dred and  lifty  inliabitants  of  forty  years  ago  have  become  at 
least  two  thousand. 

And,  then,  Raritan  has  grown,  out  of  two  houses,  into  a 
prosperous  village  containing  more  inhabitants  than  Somer- 
ville  could  boast  then.  So,  too,  tlie  surrounding  country  has 
almost  everywhere  two  liouses  where  there  was  tlicn  oidy  one, 
while  the  value  of  the  lands  is  three  times  what  it  then  was. 

Customs  and  habits  of  life  have  changed  as  much  as  the 
people.  There  were  only  tin-ee  conveyances  which  came  to 
our  church-door  which  were  any  thing  more  than  the  common 
red  farm-wiigon  with  its  linen  cover,  and  these  could  hardh^ 
be  called  carriages.  They  had  springs,  indeed,  and  cushions, 
and  calesh  top,  but  otherwise  were  very  plain  and  unimposing 
vehicles.  The  dress  of  the  people  was  good,  but  simple. 
Fasliion  had  very  little  influence  in  Somerville  in  those  primi- 
tive but  sensible  days ;  and  its  grand  absurdities,  since  so  con- 
spicuous and  obtrusive,  were  almost  unknown.  Tlie  people 
were  social  and  met  frequently,  especially  the  ladies,  at  each 
other's  houses  in  the  afternoon.  AVe  have  memories  of  many 
''Hea-drlrihings'^  of  those  days,  Avhich  are  refreshing  yet! 
They  seemed  to  us  to  be  jnst  Avhat  such  social  gatherings 
among  Christians  should  l)e — hearty,  without  restraint,  and  pro- 
motive of  good-fV'llowsliip  and  Christian  affection  without  show 
or  expense.  There  may  be  a  little  of  the  weakness  of  age  in  all 
this,  saying  "  the  former  days  were  better  than  these ;"  but  if 
there  is,  we  are  sure  there  was  much  in  those  days  to  praise, 
and  not  a  little  the  loss  of  which  is  to  be  regretted.  Advance- 
ment is  not  always  improvement,  or  progress  toward  the  good 
and  the  true  ;  and  there  is  a  good  deal  of  what  is  now  called 
culture  that  needs  cultivation.      I  am  sure  oursocietv  has  not 


130  MEMORIAL   SERMONS. 

increased  iu  godliness,  and  I  am  not  sure  that  it  has  really 
attained  verv  iiiuch  in  any  other  desirable  excellency. 

In  the  year  1835,  in  connection  with  William  J.  Hedges, 
Leonard  Bunn,  and  William  B.  Gaston,  and  others  I  com- 
menced a  weekly  prayer-meeting  on  Saturday  evening.  At 
first  it  met  in  the  houses  of  the  citizens.  It  began  at  once  by 
being  well  attended,  and  during  a  season  of  more  than  ordi- 
nary religions  interest  in  1837  and  1.838,  the  rooms  were  often 
crowded,  and  a  deep  solemnity  pervaded  all  the  exercises. 
That  prayer-meeting  has  continued  until  the  present  time. 
It  has  had  no  interruptions,  except  occasionally  from  stormy 
weather,  during  all  this  period;  and  I  sincerely  hope  it  may 
never  be  given  np.  It  has  been  a  fountain  of  life  to  this 
churcli.  There  are  yet  a  few  living  who  were  present  on  the 
■first  evening  when  it  met,  and  have  almost  always  been  present 
ever  since.  I  know  they  feel,  as  I  do,  that  it  has  been  one 
of  the  great  blessings  of  their  life  to  have  been  able  always  to 
attend  its  sessions.  When  it  fails,  if  it  ever  is  allowed  to  fail, 
many  other  things  will  have  failed,  and  the  end  of  the  greatest 
good  of  this  church  be  near.  Nothing  has  so  much  to  do 
with  the  real  prosperity  of  a  church  as  the  devotional  spirit  kept 
active  and  glowing  among  its  members.  When  the  pastor's 
hands  are  not  held  up  by  the  prayers  of  his  people,  he  soon 
comes  to  feebleness,  and  resembles  the  sower  whose  seed  falls 
by  the  wayside  or  among  thorns.  Nothing  else  can  compen- 
sate for  the  loss.  His  people  may  be  active,  charitable,  and 
even  zealous,  but  the  blessing  will  not  come  down  from  heaven. 
There  maybe  full  houses  and  eloquent  sermons,  but  the  renew- 
ing and  sanctifying  Spirit  will  not  rest  upon  the  sermon  or 
the  assembly.  I  feel,  every  day  I  live,  more  and  more  the 
encouragement  which  I  li-ave  received,  and  the  assistance  which 
has  been  rendered  to  me  in  my  work,  by ''  the  praying  band," 
who  have  never  ceased  to  stand  by  and  help  me  in  my  work. 
Blessings  on  them  !  They  have  been  a  comfort  to  me,  and 
they  have  done  much  good. 

One  pleasure  I  am  providentially  denied,  the  presence  hero 
to-day — and  he  desired  so  much  to  be  here,  but  could  not — 
the  presence  of  that  one  man  who  had  more  to  do  with  my 
coming  than  any  other  one,  and  whose  friendship  and  kindness 


MEMORIAL    SERMONS.  137 

has  been  one  of  the  perpetujil  comforts  of  my  life,  lie  advised 
my  call,  signed  it,  nrged  its  acceptance,  and,  though  living 
apart,  has  never  felt  as  if  he  could  suffer  himself  to  be  sun- 
dered from  us.  If  he  had  been  able  to  be  \vilh  us,  my  gratifi- 
cation would  have  been  increased  greatly.  I  refer  to  ex- 
Governor  A  room.  May  he  live  long  yet  to  enjoy  his  works 
of  Christian  devotion,  and,  when  called  to  his  rest,  be  joyful 
in  the  vision  of  glory  !  A  forty  years'  close  friendship  is 
almost  a  rarity  in  such  a  changing  world  as  this,  and  I  feel 
all  the  obligations  of  it  every  day  more  and  more. 

I  have,  indeed,  many  obligations  to  acknowledge,  and  many 
pleasant  memories  to  cherish,  as  the  result  of  these  forty  years. 
In  the  associations  which  have  been  formed,  in  the  social  in- 
tercourse of  my  ministerial  life,  in  the  kindness  done  to  mc 
by  my  people  here,  I  feel  that  I  have  laid  up  a  treasure  which 
will  be  pleasant  to  me  even  in  the  other  life  and  in  the 
heavenly  slate.  I  have  always  loved  to  dwell  upon  these 
memories,  and  expect  to  cherish  them  more  and  more,  until 
the  end  of  my  days  has  come.  I  have  never  intentionally 
offended  any  one.  I  have  tried  to  be  courteous  and  to  do 
good  to  all,  and  I  have  therefore  no  apologies  to  make  and 
no  offenses  to  acknowledge.  I  have  not  been  able  to  please 
all,  and  therefore  have  never  been  obnoxious  to  the  woe  pro- 
nounced u]>on  the  man  of  whom  all  men  speak  well.  I  could 
not  do  otherwise  than  I  have  done,  and  abide  therefore  in  the 
consciousness  of  havinir  intended  richtwhen  others  considered 
me  in  the  wrong. 

In  conclusion,  I  luivc  nothing  special  to  announce  as  to 
the  future.  I  am  willing  to  ])reach  the  Gospel  as  long  as  God 
ffives  me  strength  to  do  it.  It  has  been  the  work  of  mv  life, 
and  I  liave  loved  it.  I  have  tried  to  preach  it  simply,  com- 
prehensively, and  efficiently.  It  has  been  the  Gospel  as  I 
liave  learned  it  and  understood  it,  that  I  have  preached.  No 
one  can  say  that  I  have  ever  held  back  the  truth,  or  modified 
it,  to  please  men.  Honestly  I  can  say  that  "  I  have  not  shunned 
to  declare  the  whole  counsel  of  God.*'  My  study  has  been 
more  to  find  things  to  profit  than  to  please ;  and  I  have 
])reachcd  nothing  but  the  Gospel.  Upon  the  whole,  in  look- 
ing over  my  past  life,  and  the  course  which  I  have  pursued, 


138  MEMORIAL   SERMOXS. 

I  find  regrets  only  in  tliat  I  liave  not  been  able  to  abound 
more,  and  not  in  wliat  I  liave  earnestly  tried  to  do.  I  liave 
not  made  myself  a  standard  for  others,  and  I  have  not  suffered 
others  to  be  a  standard  for  me.  I  have  felt  that  there  was  a 
sphere  marked  out  for  me,  and  I  hav^e  been  constrained  to  fol- 
low it,  sometimes  even  in  the  midst  of  gainsayings. 

I  have  no  idea  to-day  how  much  longer  I  shall  continue  to 
serve  in  my  pastorate  here.  It  depends  upon  Providence,  and 
not  upon  me,  to  say  when  the  service  should  close.  When 
Providence  indicates  his  will,  I  shall  obey  it.  I  have  expressed 
a  desire  to  continue  and  to  see  this  day,  and  I  have  seen  it  ; 
and  now  I  am  in  the  hands  of  my  Master,  and  I  desire  to  have 
no  will  of  my  own,  but  only  to  follow  his  will  with  a  cheer- 
ful, trnsting  heart ! 

I  have  confidence  in  those  who  have  uniformly  been  my 
friends,  that  they  will  never  urge  me  except  to  do  what  is 
right ;  that  they  should  act  against  me  I  do  not  expect,  I 
know  my  work  is  nearly  done,  and  I  hope  to  rest  contented 
when  the  end  of  it  has  come.  I  dismiss  all  anxiety  as  it 
respects  the  future.  It  will  be  well ;  and  I  hope  to  be  able  to 
say  "  it  is  weU,^''  whatever  it  may  be  ! 

But  I  have  some  anxiety  about  this  churcli.  I  have  labored 
for  its  good  so  long  that  I  can  not  be  indifferent  to  its  future. 
It  is  a  consecrated  thing  to  me.  I  must  charge  3'ou,  on  whom 
it  depends,  to  be  earnest,  zealous,  active,  generous,  and  prayer- 
ful. I  have  sometimes  thought  that  you  would  not  under- 
stand what  was  for  your  best  interests.  I  most  earnestly  hope 
that  nothing  but  a  wise  and  generous  Christian  spirit  will  ever 
characterize  a  church  where  I  have  preached  a  self-denying 
Saviour  so  long.  Promptness  in  meeting  responsibilities  and 
providing  for  exigencies  is  always  the  wisest  and  least  expen- 
sive policy.  God  loves  a  cheerful  giver,  and  gives  the  most 
to  those  who  find  it  in  their  hearts  to  give  to  him,  and  to  the 
advancement  of  the  kingdom  of  his  dear  Son.  There  is  such  a 
thing,  and  Providence  indicates  in  a  thousand  ways  that  there 
is  such  a  thing,  as  "  withholding  more  than  is  meet  and  it 
tendeth  to  poverty.''  If  you  deny  Christ  what  belongs  to  him, 
he  will  be  very  apt  to  deny  you  some  of  the  things  you  have 
set  your  heart  u])on.     A  high   standard  of  action  is  always 


MEMORIAL   SERMONS.  139 

most  efficient,  and  a  generous  coni'se  with  tlie  clnircli  results 
always  in  the  greatest  good  to  the  individual,  as  well  Jis  to  the 
interest  of  the  church.  If  I  should  be  obliged  to  live  to 
see  this  church,  to  which  I  have  devoted  so  mnch  time  and 
labor,  in  any  state  but  one  of  activity  and  prosperity,  it  would 
bo  a  great  grief  to  nie.  I  charge  you,  to  whose  care  it  will 
soon  be  passed  over,  by  your  own  devotion  to  Christ,  and  l)y 
your  veneration  and  respect  for  your  ancestors,  to  keep  it 
always  in  a  high  state  of  prosperous  activity. 

This  church  has  always  been  like  a  watered  garden.  The 
Spirit  has  been  present  through  almost  all  its  years,  and  given 
efficacy  to  the  Gospel  preached  in  it !  All  its  pastors  have  been 
blessed  in  their  work,  and  prospered  in  the  conversion  of  souls. 
Its  record  in  this  respect  is  peculiar.  Its  first  pastor  had  a 
great  revival — great  considering  the  day  and  the  circumstan- 
ces. Under  the  second  it  continued,  and  under  the  third 
and  fourth ;  then  came  the  great  outpouring ;  and  now  for 
forty  years  we  have  been  reaping  almost  a  perpetual  harvest  ! 
It  is  wonderful !  It  is  of  God!  and  it  is  the  most  effective 
argument  to  urge  us  on  to  diligence,  God  blesses  those  who 
wait  upon  him  and  labor  sincerely  to  do  his  work  ;  and  he  will 
bless  us  if  we  are  ftiithful,  earnest,  and  active  in  seeking  him 
and  serving  him.  With  this  assurance  as  om*  encouragement, 
we  close  this  memorial  discourse  by  appropriating  the  words  of 
another,  as  expressive  of  our  sentiments  and  feelings : 

Churcli  of  my  sires,  my  love  to  tliee 

Was  nurtured  in  my  infancy  ; 

And  now  maturer  thoughts  approve 

The  object  of  that  early  love. 

liinked  to  my  soul  with  hooks  of  steel, 

By  all  I  siiy,  and  do,  and  feel  ; 

By  records  tliat  refresh  my  eye, 

In  tlie  rich  page  of  memory  ; 

By  blessings  at  tliine  altars  given, 

By  scenes  which  lift  the  soul  to  lieaven  ; 

By  monuments  that  humbly  rise, 

Memorials  of  the  good,  the  wise  ; 

By  graves  forever  sad  and  dear, 

Still  reeking  with  my  constant  tears  ; 

Wliere  those  in  honored  slumb(!r  lie. 

Whose  deaths  have  taught  vie  how  to  die. 


140  MEMORIAL   SEiniOXS. 

And  sliall  I  not,  witli  all  my  powers. 

Watch  round  tliy  venerable  towers? 

And  can  I  bid  the  pilgrim  flee 

To  holier  refuge  than  to  thee? 

Cliurch  of  my  sires,  my  heart's  best  home  ! 

From  thee  I  can  not,  will  not  roam  ! 


And  now,  may  tlic  God  of  the  everlastino-  covenant  continue 
to  be  onr  covenant-keepinp;  God,  and  the  God  ot  our  children 
in  all  generations  *     Amen. 

October  29tli,  1872. 


TiiK  exf:iicises  of  the  fohtietii  axxiyersauy 


OF 


llEY.  BR.  MESSLER'S  rASTOIIAl 


The  Consistory  of  the  First  llefonnecl  Duteli  Clmrcli  of  Rarilan, 
liaving  determined  to  observe  the  fortieth  anniversary  of  tlieir 
pastor's  settlement,  had  invited  the  presence  of  the  neigliboring 
ministers,  especially  of  those  who  had  been  reared  in  this  churcli, 
and  other  friends  Avho  Avould  be  interested  in  the  event.  Tuesday, 
the  29th  day  of  October,  was  selected,  because  on  that  day  of 
the  month,  in  1832,  Dr.  Messier  preached  his  first  sermon  after 
accepting  the  call  of  the  people. 

The  weather  proved  propitious,  tlie  skies  being  clear,  and  tlie 
air  genial  and  bracing,  and  calculated  to  elevate  the  feelings  of 
all  in  joyful  harmony  with  the  important  services  of  the  day. 

The  ladies  had  tastefully  decorated  the  church — the  pulpit 
especially  having  been  wreathed  Avith  evergreens,  decked  -with 
garlands  of  flowers.  On  the  right  of  tlie  pulpit  was  placed  the 
date  1832,  while  1872  Avas  displayed  njion  the  left.  The  word 
"Anniversary"  spaimed  the  pulpit  Avith  a  graceful  arch  which 
seemed  sus^^ended  over  it  by  an  invisible  })Ower.  The  ladies 
Averc  prepared  Avith  an  abundance  of  good  cheer  to  refresh  their 
guests,  and  the  choir  added  the  influence  of  their  musical  skill  to 
increase  the  pleasures  of  the  occasion. 

At  10^  o'clock,  the  church  Avas  Avell  filled  Avith  an  audience  Avho 
manifested  their  deep  and  earnest  interest  in  the  important  ser- 
A'ices  of  the  day.  ]>esi(les  the  ordinary  attendants  upon  the 
church,  there  Avere  many  laymen  ])resent  from  other  churches  in 
kSoinerset  and  Hunterdon  Counties,  Avilli  quite  a  large  number  of 
clergymen.  ^Vmong  tlie  latter  Avere  John  F.  iNIesick,  D.D.,  Pastor 
of  the  Second  Church  of  Karitan  ;  Gabriel  LudloAV%  D.D.,  and 
Peter  D.  Oakey,  of  Neshanic ;  P.  M.  Doolittle  and  Horace  Doo- 
little,  of  North-l>ranch  ;  William  Bailey,  of  White  House;  Joliii 
(iardner,  of  Harlingen  ;  William  ]].  Voorhees,  of  Bhiwenburgh  ; 
Charles  H.  Pool,  of  Bedminsler  ;  R.  K.  llodgers,  D.D.,  of  J>ouud- 
brook  ;  Paul  D.  Van  Clcef,  D.D.,  of  Jersey  City  ;  A.  IMcW^illiam, 
of  Fas'. -Millstone ;  James  B.  Wilson,  of  Long  Branch  ;  A.  Messier 


142  ANNIVERSARY, 

Quick,  of  Franklin;  George  J.  Van  Nestc,  of  Little  Falls;  Na- 
thaniel Conkling,  of  New-Vernon  ;  Augustus  F.  Todd,  of  Bloom- 
ingburgh,  N.  Y. ;  John  Steele,  of  Paterson;  John  A.  Todd,  D.D., 
of  TarrytOAvn,  X.  Y, ;  John  C,  Lowe,  of  Rotterdam,  N.  Y. ; 
Frederick  F.  Cornell,  "Wm.  A.  Cornell,  and  Charles  M.  Jameson, 
of  Somerville ;  John  Garretson,  D.D.,  of  New-Brunswick ;  Gus- 
tavus  Abeel,  D.D.,  of  Newark ;  and  Aaron  Lloyd,  of  New- York. 

The  choir  sang  an  appropriate  anthem  as  an  introduction  to 
the  services  of  the  day.  The  Rev.  George  J.  Van  Neste  pre- 
sided, and  announced  the  various  exercises.  The  Rev.  Augustus 
F.  Todd  invoked  the  divine  presence  and  blessing.  The  Scrip- 
tures v/ere  read  by  the  Rev.  A.  Messier  Quick. 

The  audience  then  united  in  singing  the  471st  Hymn, 
"  Kiudred  in  Clirist,  for  liis  dear  sake." 

The  Rev.  G.  Ludlow,  D.D.,  then  offered  the  following  simple  and 
comprehensive  j^i'fvyer: 

"  Great  God  of  heaven  and  earth,  Ave  come  before  thee  in  all 
our  littleness  and  unworthiness.  What  a  Aast  chasm  there  is  be- 
tween thee  and  the  most  exalted  of  thy  creatures,  but  especially 
between  thee  and  us.  Tiiou  art  from  everlasting,  while  we  are 
only  of  yesterday  !  Thou  art  Almighty,  and  we  are  encompassed 
with  infirmity.  Thou  changest  not,  wliile  we  are  constantly 
changing  in  body  and  mind.  Thou  art  holy  without  spot,  but 
we  are  sinful  in  our  nature  and  practfce.  Yet  thou  art  the  God 
of  the  covenant,  the  God  of  salvation,  and  especially  the  God  and 
Father  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  for  his  sake  and  through 
him,  our  Father  most  condescending  and  gracioxis.  Thus  we  are 
encouraged  to  approach  thee.  We  are  but  atoms  in  thy  almost 
boundless  universe  of  worlds  and  creatures,  and  were  we  stricken 
out  of  existence,  the  space  left  would  be  small  and  easily  filled 
by  thy  ci-eative  power.  Yet  thou  wilt  deign  to  look  down 
upon  us  and  hear  and  answer  our  petitions,  and  accept  our  poor 
defective  services  and  offerings.  We  come  not  before  thee  on 
this  interesting  occasion  for  purposes  of  ostentation,  vainglory, 
and  display,  but  to  acknowledge  thy  wonderful  and  xinmerited 
goodness.  We  come,  too,  to  profit  by  the  experience  of  thy  ser- 
vant— an  expei'ience  extending  through  so  many  years  in  the  gos- 
pel ministry ;  and  although  some  of  us  are  somewhat  older  than 
he,  we  are  willing  to  sit  at  his  feet  as  little  children  and  listen  to 
his  Avords  of  wisdom.  We  are  Avilling  to  learn  and  add  to  our 
stores  of  knoAvledge  while  Ave  live  and  have  opportunity,  perad- 
vcnture  avc  may  be  better  fitted  for  instructing  those  AAdio  are 


AXNIVEESARY.  1  1-3 

committed  of  tliee  to  our  cliargo  and  cure.  Lord  help  liim  to 
speak  edifyingly.  Tlio\i  liast  distinguished  tlie  cluirch  and  con- 
gregation Avorsliiping  witliin  these  walls,  and  their  fathers  he- 
fore  them,  with  very  special  favor.  Those  of  us  who  are  far  ad- 
vanced in  life,  liave  not  only  heard  of  the  marvelous  interposi- 
tion of  the  Spirit  of  grace  in  bringing  many  sons  and  daugliters 
into  thy  spiritual  family  here,  hut  have  been  eye-witnesses  of 
Avhat  has  been  done.  Wc  give  thee  onr  liuinble  and  hearty 
thanks  for  all  this.  We  have  not  forgotten  i(,  and  we  trust  wc 
never  shall.  We  give  thanks  to  thee,  O  Lord  !  for  thy  goodness 
to  these  people  through  an  extended  pastorate  of  forty  years. 
We  thank  thee  for  all  the  instruction,  warning,  and  exhortations 
addressed  to  them  by  thy  sei'vant  who  has  so  long  broken  to  them 
the  bread  of  life,  and  for  the  good  results  Avhicli  his  ministrations 
have  been  instrumental  in  producing.  We  thank  thee  for  the 
additions,  larger  and  smaller,  made  to  the  communion  of  this 
church  at  almost  every  communion  season.  We  give  glory  to 
thy  name  in  this  behalf,  for  we  know  that  whoever  may  plant  or 
whoever  may  water,  thou,  O  our  God  !  must  give  the  increase. 

"  We  thaidc  thee  for  thy  goodness  to  thy  servant  and  his  family, 
through  so  many  eventful  and  trying  years,  lie  has  had,  indeed, 
his  dark  days,  but  they  have  been  few  in  number  compared  with 
his  bright  ones.  Surely  goodness  and  mercy  have  followed  h'un 
thus  far  all  the  days  of  his  life,  and  those  days  have  been  many. 
We  trust  that  when  the  end  comes  (all  this  depends  on  thy  good 
pleasure)  he  will  dwell  in  thy  house  on  high  forever.  Yet, 
though  advanced  in  years,  may  he  still  be  spared  many  years  to 
1)6  useful  in  this  church,  and  in  the  church  of  liis  fathers,  and  in 
the  church  generally.  May  he  through  grace  be  enabled  to  bring 
forth  fruit,  much  fruit,  substantial,  ripe,  pleasant  fruit  in  his  old 
ago,  and  may  his  rest  be  glorious,  and  thus  may  it  be  Avith  all 
tliat  are  dear  to  him.  Also  grant  to  him,  O  God,  many  among  his 
people  who  shall  be  jewels  in  his  crown  of  rejoicing  at  that  day, 
the  day  when  tlie  jNFaster  shall  say  to  him,  'Well  done,  good  and 
faithful  servant,  enter  thou  into  the  joy  of  thy  Lord.' 

"Command  a  blessing,  ()  Lord,  upon  all  thy  servants  who  are 
here  to-day,  and  on  all  the  people  to  whom  they  minister  in  lioly 
things.  We  all  feel  our  dcpciulenfe  upon  thee,  both  as  disciples 
and  ministers  of  Jesus  Chi'ist.  If  it  Avere  not  for  the  pi-eeious 
assiu-ance  Avhich  the  INfaster  has  given,  '  Lo  !  I  ani  Avith  you  al- 
Avay,  even  mito  the  end  of  the  Avorhl,'  we  should  be  niterly  dis- 
heartened.    Jjook  graciously,  O  Loi'd  !   \\\)on  all  thy  ministering 


l-ii  ANNIVERSARY, 

servants,  find  upon  all  the  churches  everywhere  in  our  State  and 
in  our  heloved  hind,  yea,  tln-ougliout  the  worUl.  Thou  seest  liow 
tliy  cause  is  struggling  against  opposition  manifold,  what  giant 
forces  are  at  work  to  destroy  it  utterly  !  But  thou  hast  said, 
Lord  Jesus,  tliat  the  gates  of  hell  shall  not  prevail  against  it, 
and  tliy  word  must  and  will  stand,  and  '  when  the  enemy  eometli 
in  like  a  flood,  thou  Avilt  set  np  a  hanner  against  him ;'    so  do, 

0  Lord  God.     Amen.  " 
The  loth  Hymn, 

"  Source  of  light  and  power  divine," 
was  next  sung. 

The  llev.  Dr.  Messier  then  delivered  his  Eighth  Memorial  Ser* 
mon,  which  was  listened  to  with  close  attention  and  deep  interest 
by  the  audience. 

The  Ilev.  11.  K.  Rodgers,  D.D.,  then  read  the  33d  Hymn, 

"  The  Lord  Jeliovali  lives, 
And  blessed  be  my  rock," 

which  was  sunsr  hy  tlie  audience  standing. 

KEV.    DR.    TODd's    ADDRESS. 

The  Eev.  John  A.  Todd,  D.D.,  one  of  the  ministers  raised  up 
from  this  church  through  the  labors  of  Dr.  Messier,  delivered 
the  following  address,  on  behalf  of  his  brethren,  which  was  lis- 
ened  to  with  interest : 

I  need  hardly  say  to  you.  Christian  friends,  how  deeply  I  en- 
joy the  privilege  of  being  here  in  the  old  church  to-day,  and  lis- 
tening once  more  to  the  voice  of  my  loved  and  honored  pastor. 

1  call  him  my  pastor,  for  he  is  mine  as  well  as  yours,  and  perhaps 
I  might  say,  so  far  as  some  of  you  are  concerned,  that  he  is  even 
more  mine  than  he  is  yours.  lie  is  the  only  pastor  I  ever  had, 
and  all  my  impressions,  whether  as  boy  or  man,  of  Avliat  a  pastor 
is,  in  person  and  office,  are  inseparably  mingled  with  n)y  ideas 
and  memories  of  him. 

I  can  truly  say  that  I  never  desired  to  have  another,  and  that 
all  my  associations  with  him,  as  they  often  rise  imbidden  in  the 
mind,  are  among  the  pleasantest  recollections  of  my  life.  I  shall 
never  forget  them,  never  lose  their  influence  out  of  my  heart,  until 
that  heart  shall  have  ceased  to  beat.  Or  rather,  may  I  not  say, 
that  when  the  heart  has  been  hushed  to  rest,  and  the  journcyings 
and  toils  of  life  are  ended,  those  associations,  as  their  influence 
will  then  be  more  clearly  seen  in  the  destiny  of  the  immortal 


AXNIVERSAKV.  145 

spirit,  will  become  more  vivid  and  more  deliglitful  far  than  they 
ever  can  be  licre? 

And  so,  too,  as  there  is  an  association  that  binds  me  peculiarly 
to  this  pastor,  there  is  also  a  kindred  association  that  binds  me 
peculiarly  to  this  church.  I  was  born  here,  baptized  here,  taught  in 
the  Sunday-school  here,  by  that  noble  Christian  layman  and  elder, 
Ciovernor  Peter  D.  Vroom,  clarion  et  vencrahile  nomen,  and  I  still 
have  at  home,  as  a  cherished  memorial  of  the  past,  the  very  Bible 
which  he  gave  mo  as  a  token  of  his  friendly  interest,  and  an  en- 
couragement to  my  heart.  In  this  church  I  was  received  into 
the  full  communion  of  God's  children,  and  here,  on  a  bright  Sab- 
bath morning  in  the  early  summer,  I  sat  down  for  the  first  time 
at  the  table  of  the  Lord.  Through  the  influence  of  this  pastor, 
and  the  kind  words  of  sympathy  uttered  by  members  of  this 
flock,  I  was  led  to  turn  my  thoughts  to  the  work  of  the  Christian 
ministry,  and  when,  in  due  time,  the  preparatory  course  Avas  com- 
pleted, and  I  had  received  my  certificate  of  licensure  from  the 
classis,  my  first  sermon  was  preached  in  this  church.  The  dear- 
est kindred  I  had  on  earth  sat  that  day  in  the  congregation,  and 
I  well  remember. how  my  mother — now,  I  trust,  a  partaker  with 
the  church  triumphant  in  heaven — spoke  to  me  afterward  of 
the  throbbing  of  her  heart,  and  the  tremulous  feeling  she  had, 
as  she  saw  me  going  up  the  aisle,  and  following  Dr.  Messier  into 
the  pulpit. 

Here,  also,  my  father  and  mother  held  their  membership,  under 
the  same  pastoral  care,  as  manj'-  of  you  know,  almost  up  to  the 
time  of  their  death;  and  though  in  the  allotments  of  Providence 
their  connection  Avas  necessarily  transferred,  in  consequence  of 
having  changed  their  place  of  residence,  yet  they  always  looked 
back  to  this  church  and  to  this  pastor  Avith  an  affection  that 
never  changed.  It  Avas  in  this  church,  indeed — ^just  there,  in 
front  of  the  pulpit — that  I  looked  for  the  last  time  upon  the  lace  of 
my  father,  as  he  lay  calmly  sleeping  in  death.  And  never,  until 
all  that  the  heart  holds  dear  sliall  fade  out  and  be  lost  to  memo- 
ry, shall  I  forget  the  Avords  of  comfort  that  Avere  then  spoken  by 
this  pastor,  from  ] tomans  0:8,  "  Noav  if  Ave  be  dead  Avith  Clirist, 
we  believe  that  Ave  shall  also  live  Avith  him,"  Is  it  strange,  then, 
dear  friends,  that  Avith  such  associations  binding  me  to  this  church 
and  its  minister,  I  should  bear  my  humble  part  in  the  c\-ercises  of 
this  day  with  an  interest  and  a  feeling  which  it  is  difficult  for 
language  to  ex]»ress  ? 

This  is  the  fortieth  anniversary  of  the  setllement  of  Abraham 


146  ANNIVERSARY. 

Messier  as  the  pastor  of  this  clnircli.  Forty  years !  How  large 
a  part  do  they  constitute  of  an  ordinary  human  life !  What 
changes  have  they  wrought  in  this  church,  in  this  comniunit}-, 
in  this  nation,  in  the  world  !  It  seems  like  a  dream.  AVe  can 
scarcely  make  ourselves  believe  that  the  reality  is  true.  We 
Avake  up  to  consciousness,  like  the  soldier  who  had  been  wounded 
in  the  liead  in  battle,  and  yet  lived  on  for  years  with  a  pressure 
upon  his  brain  that  made  him  insensible  to  tlie  flight  of  time  and 
the  succession  of  passing  events.  But  at  last  the  surgeon's  skill 
relieved  liini.  And  then,  coming  to  liimself,  his  thoughts  Avau^ 
dered  in  a  momentary  bewilderment.  "  Wiicre  are  we  ?"  said  he. 
"  Yesterday  we  were  at  Manassas.  But  where  are  we  to-day  ?" 
The  whole  intervening  time  was  lost.  He  could  not  tell  where 
lie  was,  nor  how  the  time  had  passed.  We  are  like  him.  We, 
too,  may  ask  the  question,  Where  are  we?  But  yesterday  we 
were  in  tlie  midst  of  other  scenes,  and  now  every  thing  is  changed 
around  us.  The  world  is  rushing  on,  and  we  are  rushing  with  it, 
at  such  a  fearful  rate  of  speed  that  we  have  to  stop  and  think  be- 
fore we  can  tell  wliere  we  are. 

Here  is  a  pastorate  of  forty  years'  duration  !  How  strange  a 
phenomenon  it  is  in  tlie  midst  of  this  changing  world  !  But  not 
more  strange  than  honorable  alike  to  the  pastor  and  the  jjcople. 
W'heu  I  received  the  kind  invitation  to  be  present,  and  read  tlie 
words,  "  The  Fortieth  Anniversary,"  they  struck  me  so  singular- 
ly that  I  began  to  wonder  whether  it  might  not  be  an  intimation 
of  the  world's  return  to  the  good  old  Bible  times.  For  there,  in 
the  Bible,  that  period  of  forty  years  is  so  frequently  recurring  as 
to  suggest  the  idea  of  some  particular  sacredness,  or  some  special 
Divine  purpose  in  regard  to  it.  Thus  we  learn  that  Moses  spent 
forty  years  of  his  life  at  the  court  of  Pharaoh,  forty  years  in  Midian, 
and  forty  years  in  performing  his  great  mission  as  the  leader  and 
lawgiver  of  his  people.  Thus  we  read  that  Israel  wandered  forty 
years  in  the  wilderness,  and  that  they  were  fed  witli  manna  from 
heaven  through  all  the  forty  years  they  Avere  there.  And  thus 
in  other  places,  too,  we  have  the  period  of  forty  ^^ears  spoken  of, 
as,  for  example,  to  specify  the  duration  of  David's  reign.  Wliy 
is  it  ?  Does  the  period  of  forty  years  indicate  any  thing  peculiar  ? 
Docs  it  intimate  any  thing  like  the  special  government,  guardian- 
ship, and  fatherly  care  of  God  ?  If  it  does,  then  wliy  can  we  not 
say  that  it  has  a  parallel  significance  liere  ?  Tliere^t's  something 
sacred,  something  divine,  about  this  long-continued  relation  be- 


AXMVEKSAUY.  147 

twecii  one  of  Chrisrs  faithl'al  iiiiiiisU'rs  and  the  coiiijjany  of  disci- 
ples wliich  the  great  Sljeplierd  and  Jjisliop  of  souls  lias  com- 
mitted to  his  care.  It  is  a  relation  that  forms,  and  should  form, 
the  basis  of  precious  memories  and  hopes  and  thanksgivings  to 
all  those  whom  its  inlhience  has  tended  to  ennoble  and  to  bless. 

Take  the  memories  that  grow  out  of  this  relation  ;  for  it  is  to 
them  that  the  day  especially  points.  They  are  a  priceless  inheri- 
tance from  the  past.  It  is  true,  the  office  of  the  ministry  has  its 
labors,  its  cares,  its  privations,  and  its  trials,  and  sometimes  they 
are  hard  to  be  borne.  But  it  has  another  side,  too.  It  brings 
the  minister  into  the  most  intimate  and  endearing  relations  Avitli 
his  people.  There  grows  up  a  feeling  of  mutual  interest,  of  mu- 
tual confidence,  and  of  mutual  love.  And  sanctified,  as  it  often 
is,  by  a  common  Christian  faith  and  hope,  it  leads  to  a  genuine 
Christian  sympathy,  and  a  corresponding  communication  of  moral 
support  to  each  other,  that  should  be  ranked  among  the  sweetest 
elements  that  are  mingled  in  the  cup  of  life. 

From  such  an  experience  a  minister  is  always  gathering  up 
new  facts,  incidents,  and  impressions  that  go  to  swell  the  treasures 
of  memory,  and  to  bind  him  by  enduring  associations  to  his  fiock. 
True,  some  of  his  people  may  be  dead,  others  may  be  living,  but 
"whether  living  or  dead,  the  bond  of  connection  still  exists,  and 
neither  time  nor  eternity  can  destroy  it.  Think  of  the  various 
scenes  through  which  he  has  passed  ;  follow  him  in  imagination 
on  his  round  of  weekly  service  ;  and  the  eftbrt  may  jjerhaps  give 
you  some  idea  of  the  memories  that  must  be  stored  in  his  mind. 
There  is  the  church,  the  prayer-meeting,  the  catechetical  class, 
the  afternoon  or  the  evening  lecture  in  the  school-house,  or  in  the 
home  of  some  parishioner  who  has  thrown  open  his  doors  and  in- 
vited friends  and  neighbors  to  come  in  and  hear  the  C4ospel. 
Forty  years  of  such  service  is  ecpial  to  two  thousand  and  eighty 
Aveeks ;  or,  to  state  it  differently,  it  is  equivalent  to  almost  six  years 
of  Sabbath-days.  What  impressions  they  must  have  left  upon  the 
mind!  But  to  all  these  we  arc  to  add  tlie  more  private  relations 
that  connect  him  with  lamilies  and  individual  persons — his  social 
comnuuiion,  as  friend  and  neighl)or,  with  those  who  compose  his 
congregation;  his  visits  to  tlie  sick,  the  afflicted,  the  sorrowing ; 
liis  mingling  in  sad  funereal  scenes,  Avhere  the  drapery  of  death, 
and  the  solemn  silence  that  reigns  in  the  house  of  bereavement, 
are  but  the  outward  token  of  feelings  too  deep  for  the  tongue  to 
utter.     How  many  such  occasions  must  have  been  crowded  hito 


1 18  ANNIVEKSAin'. 

tliat  period  of  forty  years !  And  tliere,  too,  passing  from 
over  the  darker  to  tlie  brigliter  side,  from  the  tears  of  grief  to  the 
smiles  and  festal  joy  of  marriage-scenes,  are  tlie  bonds  of  memory 
that  hind  him  to  tliose  upon  whose  union  of  hearts  and  destinies, 
for  time,  he  pronounced  the  sanction  and  the  blessing  of  heaven. 
What  numberless  points  of  contact  there  are  where  a  minister's 
life  glides  on  with  the  life  of  his  people,  and  what  a  wealth  of 
memories  must  they  both  gather  up  as  the  mingled  currents  of 
their  history  roll  on  !  memories  sad,  tender,  joyous,  happy,  now 
unsealing  the  fountain  of  tears ;  now  sending  smile  after  smile 
over  the  face  in  rippling  Araves  of  mirth  or  pleasure  ;  now  illumi- 
nating the  eyes  with  that  calm  and  beautiful  light  that  never  fades 
in  the  soul,  the  lingering  brightness  of  "  days  well  spent  and 
duties  well  performed."  God  bless  this  pastor  !  and  may  his 
memories  grow  brighter  to  the  end,  until,  at  last,  they  shall  blend 
their  beams  in  an  evening  glory  like  tlie  glory  of  the  setting 
sun  ! 

But  if  the  pastor  has  his  juemories,  so  also  do  the  people  have 
theirs.  His  are  connected  with  them  all;  theirs,  in  turn,  are  con- 
nected with  him.  His  radiate  from  a  centre  upon  many  points  ; 
theirs  converge  from  the  circumference  upon  one.  He  has  more  ; 
they  have  less.  But  if  the  number  is  smaller,  the  greater  will 
their  vividness  be.  Tiiink  what  memories  this  congregation  must 
have  of  a  minister  who  has  served  them,  in  all  the  various  duties 
of  the  pastoral  oflice,  for  a  period  of  forty  years  !  Think  Avhat 
they  would  be,  if  all  who  were  living  when  he  entered  upon  their 
service,  and  all  who  have  lived  in  the  intervening  time  down  to 
this  hour,  could  be  here  to-day  !  Each  one  would  have  his  own 
peculiar  memory  of  him.  Each  would  refer  back  to  him  in  some 
different  circumstance  or  relation.  This,  in  sorrow  ;  that,  in  joy. 
This,  burdened  with  sin  ;  that,  happy  in  a  new-found  Christian 
ho[)e.  This,  coming  for  the  first  time  to  the  table  of  the  Lord  ; 
that,  bidding  both  pastor  and  church  farewell,  and  turning  away 
to  seek  a  distant  home.  This,  about  to  be  united  in  the  dearest 
bonds  of  domestic  life  ;  that,  fast  approaching  the  gates  of  eter- 
nity, and  waiting  for  the  invitation  from  on  high.  And  so  on, 
through  the  almost  endless  catalogue  of  experiences,  states,  and 
conditions  that  give  diversity  to  the  lives  of  men.  Suppose  this 
congregation  could  gather  up  all  its  memories  of  its  pastor,  and 
of  his  faithful  wife,  performing  her  less  conspicuous  but  most  im- 
portant and  honorable  part,  through  these  forty  years,  and  write 


AXXIVERSARY  149 

tlicm  ill  a  book,  Avliat  a  strange,  mingled,  interesting  record  it 
■would  bo  ! 

Xet  me  give  you  a  spoeimeu  contribution  to  it.  Why  it  is,  avc 
do  not  always  kno\v,  but  there  are  some  events,  some  circum- 
stances in  every  one's  life,  that  leave  a  more  enduring  imj)ression 
upon  the  mind.  They  seem  to  go  with  us,  while  others,  in  the  on- 
ward march,  are  dropped  out  and  forgotten.  I,  for  instance,  have 
certain  memories  in  regard  to  this  pastor.  I  remember  that  one 
day,  when  he  was  going  to  the  post-office,  and  I  was  coming  from 
it,  he  met  me  in  front  of  tlie  old  store  of  William  J.  Hedges,  now 
deceased,  and  spoke  to  me  in  regard  to  my  soul,  adding  the  kind 
advice  to  give  my  heart  at  once  to  my  Saviour.  I  remember  also 
going  to  his  house  one  evening  to  see  him  when  I  had  become  in- 
terested in  my  salvation,  and  how,  after  giving  me  friendly  coun- 
sel, he  knelt  down  with  me,  and  prayed  for  the  Holy  Spirit  to  en- 
lighten and  guide  me.  I  remember,  still  earlier,  Avith  what  feel- 
ings I  heard  that  he  was  coming  into  our  part  of  the  congrega- 
tion to  catechize  the  children,  and  the  severe  labor  I  performed 
in  preparing  to  recite  my  first  Lord's  Day  of  the  Heidelberg 
Catechism.  I  see  now,  as  I  did  not  then,  that  the  whole  glorious 
Gospel  of  Christ  is  briefly  and  beautifully  expressed  in  that 
question  and  answer,  and  I  thank  Dr.  Messier  for  his  faithfulness 
in  instructing  me  and  the  youth  of  this  church  in  tliat  good  old 
catechism. 

These  are  but  examples  (the  graver  and  the  more  cheerful)  of 
thousands  of  memories  that  cling  to  the  minds  of  the  people,  and 
connect  the  pastor  with  his  flock.  Smiles  and  tears,  lights  and  sha- 
dows, the  darker  and  the  brighter  hues,  all  woven  together,  side 
by  side,  in  the  warp  and  the  woof  of  life  !  What  a  strange  ex- 
istence is  ours !  Coming  into  time  from  the  past,  going  on  in 
ceaseless  march  under  this  great  archway  of  heaveu  toward  tlic 
gates  of  the  endless  future,  how  mysterious  and  even  awful  our 
very  being  is  !  But  how  mucli  more  so  would  it  be,  did  Ave  not 
know  that  Christ,  the  glorious  Son  of  God,  has  swept  aside  the 
darkening  vail,  and  brought  life  and  immortality  to  light  ! 

And  here  it  is  that  avc  can  turn  from  our  memories,  dear  as  tliey 
are,  to  our  hopes,  Avhich  are  still  dearer.  What  is  all  tlie  past, 
but  preparation  ?  We  have  the  memory  of  it,  indeed,  but  Ave  have 
also  the  hope  of  seeing  its  gladdening  fruits  hereafter.  Tlic 
farmer  soavs  his  seed,  and  he  remembers  it.  For  days  and  Aveeks 
together  his  thoughts  turn  back  to  the  past.  But  at  length  there 
10 


150  AXXIVERSARY. 

comes  a  time  wlicn  their  tendency  is  toward  the  future.  Then  it 
is  expectation,  liope  rising  in  the  bi'east,  and  looking  for  the  re- 
Kults  of  the  past  in  the  Avaving  golden  harvest.  So  it  is  here. 
We  have  the  memories,  it  is  true,  but  our  hopes  also  anticipate 
the  results  in  the  future.  And  what  blessed  results  they  will  be ! 
The  membership  of  this  church  tlirough  forty  years  all  gathered 
Iiome  at  last  to  heaven!  Husbands  and  Avives,  parents  and  chil- 
dren, brothers  and  sisters,  kindred  and  friends,  pastor  and  people, 
all  re-united  there  ! 

"  There,  parted  friends  again  sliall  meet 
In  union  lioiy,  calm  and  sweet. 
And  light  shall  glance  on  every  crown 
From  suns  that  never  more  go  down." 

We  come  with  full  hearts  to  celebrate  this  anniversary  to-day. 
But,  oh  !  a  fairer  scene,  a  deeper  enjoyment,  a  more  glowing  breast, 
and  songs  more  soaring  and  triumphant,  are  just  before  ns  in  the 
future.  It  is  the  day  when  this  pastor  shall  stand  before  the 
lledeemer's  throne,  and,  pointing  to  us,  shall  say,  "  Here  am  I, 
and  the  children  whom  thou  hast  given  me  !" 

We  have  had  the  past.  We  wait  for  the  future.  If  the  expe- 
rience of  the  one,  and  the  promise  of  the  other,  do  not  inspire  us 
with  loving  gratitude  to  God,  then  surely  nothing  can.  Let  us 
go  to  our  homes  with  three  Avords  graven  deeply  on  our  hearts  : 
Memory^  Hope.,  ThcmJcsgiving. 

The  opportunity  was  here  afforded  for  short  addresses  by  min- 
isters and  friends  present,  especially  those  who  had  gone  forth 
from  the  communion  of  this  church  to  preach  the  everlasting 
Gospel  of  Christ. 

r.Ev.  MR.  quick's  addeess. 

The  Rev.  A.  Messier  Quick,  one  of  the  children  of  the  church, 
named  .after  the  present  jjastor,  and  baptized  by  him,  addressed 
tlie  audience  as  follows  : 

"My  friends,  although  I  Avould  not  prolong  these  already  pro- 
tracted, though  exceedingly  interesting  exercises  by  any  lengthy 
words  of  mine,  still  I  Avill  give  A'ent  to  some  of  the  rising  emotions 
of  my  heart  that  the  present  occasion  inspires.  We,  who  a  few 
years  ago  went  forth  from  this  paternal  roof  to  preach  the  un- 
searchable riches  of  Christ,  have  come  home  to-day  to  exchange 
friendly  greetings,  and  say,  llow  do  you  do,  father  ?  how  do  you 
do,  brethren  and  friends  ? 


ANXI VERSAR  Y.  1 5 1 

"As  we  gatlicr  in  tliis  family  circlf,  let  us  recall  tlic  past,  wlien 
"sve  used  to  sit  within  these  consecrated  walls,  before  we  went 
forth  to  proclaim  those  truths  which  were  first  instilled  in  and 
impressed  upon  our  hearts  in  this  sanctuary,  by  this  our  beloved 
and  honored  pastor.  This  is  our  natural  and  spiritual  birth})lace, 
and,  conse(][uently,  hallowed  and  blessed  memories  cluster  here. 
From  this  centre  our  lives  have  radiated  forth  into  the  respective 
fields  where  the  Lord  has  placed  us,  to  promulgate  those  truths 
which  here  first  inflamed  our  souls.  Among  the  many  honored 
sons  who  liave  gone  forth  from  this  church  to  preaclx  the  ever- 
lasting Gospel  of  Christ,  I  stand  before  you  as  the  youngest, 
among  my  brethren,  and  the  onl}^  one  Avho  bears  the  lionored 
name  of  our  pastor;  and  I  believe  I  am  the  only  one  of  them  who 
can  boast  of  having  received  upon  my  brow  the  water  of  lioly 
baptism  from  his  hand.  Here  my  mother  brought  me  to  conse- 
crate me  to  the  Lord,  and  upon  this  spot  I  received  the  seal  of 
the  washing  away  of  sin  by  the  blood  and  spirit  of  Christ ;  and 
I  hope  and  trust  it  was  not  in  vain.  I  feel  that  it  is  but  due  my 
pastor,  when  I  say  that  I  owe  more,  under  God,  to  him  than  any- 
one else  for  leading  me  to  the  position  I  now  occupy  in  the  vine- 
yard of  my  Master,  and  doubtless  my  brethren  can  bear  the  same 
testimony.  Here  in  our  childhood  and  youthful  days  we  listened 
regularly  on  the  Sabbath  to  the  faithful  presentation  of  the  Gos- 
pel from  the  lips  of  liim  who  now  for  forty  years  has  broken  unto 
this  people  the  bread  of  life.  Gradually  tliose  truths  became  in- 
stilled into  our  minds,  and  finally  impressed  our  hearts.  Wv 
were  thus  led  to  embrace  Christ,  and  afterward  constrained  to 
proclaim  a  crucified  Redeemer  to  a  peris^hing  race.  That  system 
also  of  regular  and  faithful  catechetical  instruction  which  was 
then  the  custom  of  our  2-)astor,  was  of  incalculable  benefit  to  us, 
giving  us  clear  views  of  tlie  plan  of  salvation  and  method  of 
grace,  and  indoctrinating  us  in  that  system  of  revealed  truth 
Avhich  is  in  accordance  with  our  Keformed  faith.  By  the  value 
we  thus  received  we  learned  the  importance  of  catechetical  in- 
struction among  the  children  of  our  own  congregations,  and  arc 
better  qualified  to  interpret  these  truths.  IJut  not  only  for  tlu^ 
faithful  inculcation  of  divine  truth  from  this  pulpit,  and  by  cate- 
chetical instruction,  do  we  feel  deeply  indebted  to  our  pastor,  but 
also  for  his  valuable  and  timely  counsels  during  our  course  of 
study.  We  ever  felt  that  we  had  in  him  a  safe  counselor,  an<I 
that  trust  was  never  betrayed.  I  recollect  when  I  first  thought 
of  entering  the  ministry,  I  first  breathed  the  matter  in  liis  car. 


152  ANNIVERSARY. 

He  took  me  in  liis  study,  and  I  shall  never  forget  Lis  words  of 
counsel  to. me  upon  that  occasion.  '  My  son,'  said  he,  '  I  am  glad 
you  are  thinking  of  the  matter,  but  you  must  weigh  it  well  before 
you  decide.  While  it  is  a  noble  work,  and  there  are  many  plea- 
sant considerations  in  connection  with  it,  still  you  will  meet  with 
many  disappointments,  many  difficulties,  much  of  hard  work,  and 
much  to  discourage  and  perplex.'  He  showed  me  the  dark  as 
well  as  the  bright  side  of  the  picture,  and  it  was  a  long  time  after 
that  before  I  could  feel  willing  to  i;ndertake  so  responsible  and 
arduous  a  work.  And  now  these  my  brethren  in  the  ministry,  as 
well  as  myself,  after  years  of  service  in  the  holy  office,  are  ready 
to  bear  testimony  to  the  weight  and  truth  of  these  words  of  coun- 
sel and  sound  wisdom. 

"  And  now,  my  friends,  as  we  come  to  engage  with  you,  in  this 
old  mother-church,  in  the  ceremonies  of  this  anniversary  day,  Ave 
bless  the  invisible  hand  that  hath  led  you  all  through  these  years, 
and  given  you  so  many  evidences  of  his  Spirit's  presence  and 
power.  We  congratulate  you  for  the  uninterrupted,  faithful,  and 
.able  jU'caching  of  the  AVord,  Avhich  it  has  been  your  privilege  to 
enjoy.  We  rejoice  with  you  in  the  continued  harmony  and  pros- 
perity of  this  church,  and  invoke  the  continuance  of  God's  Spirit 
Avith  you,  rejoicing  your  hearts  and  building  you  np  in  the  word 
of  ills  grace.  And  it  gives  lis  pleasure  to  greet  and  congratulate 
you^  loved  and  honored  pastor,  upon  the  fulfilment  of  your  forty 
years  over  this  people — fulfilled  Avith  such  marked  success,  with 
such  wonderful  displays  of  the  goodness  of  the  Lord,  and  with 
■such  abunJant  seals  of  the  cooperation  of  his  Spii-it.  We  bless 
God  for  Avhat  you  have  been  instrumental  in  doing  for  us,  and 
for  what  you  have  been  spared  so  long  to  accomplish  for  this 
people,  and  ]iray  ihat  in  the  future  decade  of  years  the  vigor  of 
your  manhood  may  not  abate,  nor  your  strength  fail,  but  that  the 
coming  period  may  be  marked  Avith  still  greater  results. 

"  And  noAV,  my  brethren,  encouraged  by  what  has  here  been  ac- 
complished for  this  people  by  the  faithful  presentation  of  the 
truth,  let  us  go  forward  and  be  diligent  and  faithful  in  our  oavu 
fields  of  labor,  in  holding  up  the  standard  of  the  cross  before  all 
men,  and  in  preaching  a  crucified  Redeemer  unto  a  lost  race,  so 
that  when  Ave  have  served  the  Lord  thus  long  in  the  ministry  of 
reconciliation,  if  it  be  his  Avill  Ave  may  be  able  to  recall  the  yeai'S 
of  the  past  Aviih  no  little  satisfaction,  and  Avitli  the  recorded  evi- 
dences that  '  the  Lord  our  God  hath  led  us  these  forty  years.' " 


ANNIVERSARY.  153 

Elders  Ralph  Voorliecs,  of  Mkldlelnisli,  and  Peter  A.  Yoor- 
hces,  of  Six-]Mile  liun,  embraced  tlie  opportunity  of  attesting  the 
interest  tliey  felt  in  the  exercises  of  the  day,  and  tlieir  desire  that 
they  wovdd  exert  an  abiding  influence  upon  the  minds  of  all  pre- 
sent. 

The  Rev.  A.  F.  Todd,  the  youngest,  save  one,  of  (hose  .who 
have  entered  the  ministry  from  this  church,  was  tlie  last  S2)eaker. 
lie  said : 

"  We  have  to-day  been  considering  tlie  past.  Our  memories 
have  been  refreshed  ;  scenes  and  incidents  that  were,  have  been 
brought  before  us.  We  have  been  interested,  instructed,  moved. 
We  have  been  reminded  of  what  forty  years  have  done,  and  thcv 
have  done  much.  They  have  wroiight  great  changes  here  and 
everywhere.  They  have  Avitncssed  sad  scenes  and  joyous  scenes. 
They  have  made  their  mark  on  our  venerated  friend  and  pastor ; 
they  have  made  their  mark  on  us  all. 

"  Among  the  incidents  brought  to  mind  to-day,  is  one  in  which 
I  chanced  to  be  an  interested  party.  More  than  a  score  of  years 
ago  I  was  sitting,  one  Sabbath  morning,  in  yonder  gallerv,  where 
I  had  been  endeavoring  to  do  my  shai'e  of  the  singing.  It  was 
the  day  for  announcing  the  newly-elected  officers  of  consistory. 
I  listened  Avith  attentive  interest  and  curiosity  to  know  who  they 
were  to  be,  when,  to  my  astonishment,  my  own  name  was  an- 
nounced as  deacon.  The  eftect  Avas  electric — perspiration  Avas 
sjjeedy  and  pi'ol'use. 

"  But  the  past  is  ])assed.  Now  Avhat  about  the  future  ?  "What 
ABOUT  THE  FUTUKE  ?  AVliat  is  to  be  its  character?  What  of 
blessing  is  it  to  bring  to  you  ?  What  Avould  you  have  it  bring? 
What  Avlll  it  bring  of  blessing  and  of  comfort  to  the  heart  and 
home  of  our  respected  friend  and  pastor?  What  Avill  you  have 
it  bring  to  h'lDi,  dear  friends  ?  He  is  your  ])astor  still.  He  closes 
to-day  his  first  forty  years  among  you,  and  in  Avhich  were  spent 
the  strength  and  pi-inie  of  his  manhood,  and  enters  upon  his 
second  forty,  or  that  portion  of  it  Avhich  God  in  his  providence 
shall  see  fit  to  give.  You  enter  with  him  on  this  new  and  last 
period  of  solemn,  blessed  relationship.  Remember,  Christian 
brethren,  that  he  needs  your  sytnpathies  and  prayers  in  every 
sense  that  a  pastor  can  need  them,  just  as  much  now  as  he  ever 
did,  aye,  and  more.  Age  is  upon  him,  and  to  you,  as  his  true 
and  tried  friends,  he  looks  for  sympathy,  comfort,  and  supjiort, 
and  all  that  kindly  bearing  Avhich  wi!l  promote  his  happiness,  aiid 


loJ  AXNIVERSAKY, 

make  ink  cosing  labors  of  his  life  a  mutual  blessing  to  you  all. 
This  is  the  tliought,  briefly  spoken,  that  I  would  impress  upon 
your  minds,  dear  friends.  God  grant  that  you  may  all  discern 
the  responsibilities  of  a  relationship  that  he  has  greatly  blessed, 
and  the  issues  of  which  are  so  closely  linked  with  the  interests  of 
eternity." 

Rev.  George  J.  Van  N este  remarked  that  the  sermon  and  ad- 
dresses of  the  day  exhibited  in  a  striking  manner  the  formative 
]»o\ver  of  the  ministry.  Time  did  not  suffice  for  the  development 
of  this  thought,  and  it  was  necessary  to  bring  these  exercises  to  a 
close. 

.  The  Rev.  Nathaniel  Conkling  then  offered  the  concluding  prayer, 
in  the  following  words : 

"O  Lord  !  what  is  man  that  thou  art  mindful  of  him,  and  the 
son  of  man  that  thou  visitest  him !  Thou  madest  him  a  little 
lower  than  the  angels  and  crownedst  him  with  glory  and  honor, 
but  the  gold  has  become  dimmed,  and  the  fine  gold  changed, 
and  woe  unto  us  that  we  have  sinned  !  We  own  the  sentence  just 
that  dooms  us  to  everlasting  pains,  and  would  come  with  peni- 
tence and  faith  to  plead  the  dying  love,  and  that  alone,  of  thy 
dear  Son,  our  Saviour,  for  pardon  and  eternal  life.  For  who  is 
Paul,  ApoUos,  or  Cephas  ?  Is  Christ  divided  ?  Was  Paul  ci'ucified 
for  us  ?  Lo,  then,  neither  is  he  that  plantelh  any  thing,  neither 
is  he  that  watereth  any  thing,  but  God  that  giveth  the  increase. 
At  thy  feet,  therefore,  blessed  Saviour,  would  we  come,  and  lay 
the  acts  and  issues  of  this  pastorate  of  forty  years  ;  praying  the 
application  of  thy  blood,  that  every  thing  amiss  may  be  washed 
away,  and  the  good  that  has  been  wrought  may  be  given  unre- 
servedly to  thee,  the  ever-gracious  giver.  We  bless  thee,  groat 
Saviour,  that^  through  the  instrumentality  of  earthen  A'cssels,  the 
excellency  of  thy  power  is  revealed,  that  no  flesh  may  glory  in 
thy  presence.  We  thank  thee  that  thou  hast  made  this  our  be- 
loved pastor,  and  father  in  the  ministry,  the  vehicle  of  so  much 
of  blessing  to  the  church  here,  and,  through  those  who  have  gone 
forth  from  under  his  faithful  ministry  as  ministers  or  laymen, 
lo  the  church  elsewhere.  And  Ave  come  now,  blessed  Lord,  to 
pray  for  the  continuance  and  increase  of  these  divine  influences 
upon  himself,  his  family,  and  the  church,  through  all  these  chan- 
nels, multiplying  and  remultiplying  them  until  the  end  comes, 
when  all  the  results  shall  be  gathered  up  and  laid  at  Jesus'  feet, 
with  the  shout  of  Worthy  is  the  Lamb  !  We  thank  thee,  O  Lord  ! 
for  the  fellowship  of  this  commemorative  occasion,  and  that  thy 


ANNIVERSARY.  155 

servant  stands  so  ai:)proved  of  God  and  man,  as  an  al>le  and  faith- 
ful minister  of  the  everlasting  Gosi)el  of  the  grace  of  God.  And 
now,  Lord,  we  pray  thee  that  liis  bow  may  abide  in  strength,  and 
his  hand  may  be  made  strong  by  the  arm  of  the  mighty  God  of 
Jacob,  for  the  reuiainder  of  his  life-work,  and  until  he  shall  be 
called  up  higher,  to  receive  the  award  of  the  faithful.  And  may 
tlie  people  of  his  charge  likewise  be  faithful  and  immovable, 
always  abounding  in  the  work  of  the  Lord;  fulfilling  their  jiart 
of  this  covenant  relationship  more  fully  and  freely  than  ever  be- 
fore. And  now  may  the  God  of  peace,  who  wrought  again,"  etc. 
The  audience  at  the  close  united  in  singing  the  grand  old  doxo 

"  Praise  God,  from  whom  all  blessings  flow,"  etc. 

The  benediction  was  pronounced  by  the  Kev.  John  Garretson, 
D.D.,  and  thus  ended  the  interesting  public  exercises  of  this 
memorial  day — a  day  to  live  for  many  years  in  the  memory  of 
the  people  of  the  church  of  Raritau  and  of  all  their  friends  who 
were  present  to  particij^ate  in  them.  The  clergy  and  fiiends  from 
abroad  were  invited  to  the  house  of  Dr.  Messier,  where  they  par- 
took of  a  bountiful  collation  spread  by  the  pastor  for  his  intimate 
friends.  While  refreshing  the  outer  man,  a  pleasant  opportunity 
was  afforded  for  renewing  old  friendshijos  and  social  ties.  In 
genial  intercourse  the  hours  passed  pleasantly,  until  the  waning 
day  warned  those  from  a  distance  of  the  necessity  of  their  bid- 
ding adieu  to  this  scene  with  its  pleasant  associations. 

The  evening  was  devoted  by  the  people  of  the  church  to  the 
pleasant  work  of  honoring  their  revered  pastor,  and  partaking  of 
the  good  things  he  had  provided  for  them.  They  came  in  great 
numbers  to  testify  their  esteem  and  tender  him  their  congratula- 
tions. They  mingled  with  one  another  in  pleasant  social  groups, 
and  thus  made  a  cheerful  and  agreeable  use  of  the  occasion. 
AVhile  thus  testifying  their  intelligent  and  hearty  appreciation  of 
this  memorial  day,  they  showed  a  true  appreciation  of  the  bene- 
fits of  the  relation  which  has  so  long  subsisted  between  them  and 
their  pastor,  by  giving  him  not  only  pleasant  words  and  kind 
compliments,  but  also  substantial  tokens  of  their  esteem,  tending 
to  smoothe  the  declivity  of  life,  and  cement  the  tics  which  have  so 
long  bound  them  to  one  another.  Before  taking  their  departure 
they  presented  him  with  a  handsome  purse  amounting  to  more 
than  $500,  and  thus  afforded  him  additional  evidences  of  their 
friendship  and  love  in  this  renewed  expression  of  their  kind  es- 
teem, and  desire  to  promote  his  welfare  and  comfort. 


156  ANNIVERSAEY. 

An  interesting  incident  connected  withti)e  exercises  of  tlie  day- 
was  the  presentation  of  the  following  note  to  Rev.  Dr.  Messier, 
by  the  gentlemen  Avhose  names  are  appended. 

"  Bloomingburg,  N.  Y.,  Nor.  22,  1872. 

"  Rev.  Dr.  Messler  :  Dear  Friend  and  Pastor  :  Inclosed  yoo 
will  please  find  a  check  drawn  to  your  order,  which  paper  we 
shall  make  bold  to  call  a  purse.  It  is  presented  by  those  whom 
you  are  pleased  to  designate  as  your 'young  men 'or,  in  other 
words,  those  who  have  entered  the  ministry  from  the  church  of 
which  you  are  the  honored  pastor. 

"  We  are  well  aware  that  the  amount  is  not  large,  scarcely  wortli 
a  mention,  nevertheless  beg  you  to  accept  it  as  a  slight  expression 
of  our  high  regard  for  one  whose  name  and  memory  we  cherisli 
as  that  of  friend  and  pastor. 

"We  congratulate  you  on  your  having  been  spared  and  permit- 
ted to  celebrate  the  fortieth  anniversary  of  your  settlement  as 
minister  of  the  First  Reformed  Church  of  Raritan  ;  to  which  ven- 
erable 'elect  lady'  we  have  the  honor  to  claim  a  near  and  spiritual 
relationship.  Long  may  your  love  abide  in  strength,  and  the 
truths  you  utter  be  'as  a  two-edged  sword.'  May  the  blessing  of 
our  covenant  God  and  Saviour  be  upon  you  and  yours,  and  upon 
the  church  you  have  served  '  these  forty  years.' 

"Very  truly  yours  in  the  gospel  of  a  blessed  Saviour. 

George  J.  Van  Neste,  N.  Conklin, 

Abel  T.  Stewart,  Joiiiv  Gaston, 

John  Steele,  John  A.  Todd, 

A.  Messleu  Quick,  Aug.  F.  Todd." 


HISTORICAL    NOTES 


EE  FORM  El)  DUTCH  CIlURCnES 


COUNTY  OF  SOMERSET,  N.  J. 


THE  CHURCH  OF  EARITAN. 

There  Avere  no  permanent  inhabitants  in  Somerset  Count)- 
earlier  than  1681 ;  and  there  is  no  record  of  any  ecclesiastical  or- 
ganization before  March  9th,  1699,  when  elders  and  deacons  were 
chosen  at  Raritan,  and  ordained  by  the  Rev.  Guliam  Bartliolf,  of 
Ilackensack.  The  country  was  originally  almost  entirely  covered 
by  a  primitive  forest.  The  lowlands  along  the  Raritan,  above 
Bound  Brook,  were,  in  some  places,  destitute  of  trees,  and  had 
been  used  by  the  Indians  to  raise  corn,  beans,  and  pumpkins. 
This  open  meadow,  abounding  in  grass,  and  fit  at  once  for  the 
plow,  formed  one  of  the  principal  attractions  to  the  first  inhabi- 
tants. Cornelius  Van  Tienhoven,  Secretary  of  New-Netherlands, 
in  his  tract  in  relation  to  taking  up  lands  in  1650,  says,  "The  dis- 
trict inhabited  by  a  nation  called  Raritangs  is  situated  on  a  fresh 
water  river,  that  flows  through  the  centre  of  a  lowland  which 
the  Indians  cultivated.  This  vacant  territory  lies  between  two 
high  mountains  far  distant  the  one  from  the  other.  This  is  the 
handsomest  and  pleasantest  country  that  man  can  behold.  It 
furnished  the  Indians  with  abundance  of  maize,  beans,  pumpkins, 
and  other  fruits.  This  district  was  abandoned  by  the  natives  for 
two  reasons :  The  first  and  principal  is  that,  finding  themselves 
unable  to  resist  the  southern  Indians,  they  migrated  further  in- 
land. The  second,  because  this  country  was  flooded  every  spring, 
like  Rensselaer's  colony,  frequently  spoiling  and  destroying  their 
supply  of  maize,  stored  in  holes  under  ground. 

"  Through  this  valley  pass  large  numbers  of  all  sorts  of  tribes  on 
their  way  north  or  east.  This  land  is,  therefore,  not  only  adapted 
for  raising  grain  and  rearing  all  descriptions  of  cattle,  but  also 
very  convenient  for  trade  with  the  Indians." — Doc.  Ilistori/,  vol . 
4,  page  29. 

When  the  settlement  of  tlie  country  commenced,  a  few  families 
came  from  New- York,  as  White,  Codrington,  Royce,  and  possibly 
others,  and  settled  on  the  lands  they  had  ])urchased.  Then  Cor- 
nelius and  John  Tunison  and  Peter  and  Jerome  Van  Xest  emi- 


160  HISTORICAL   NOTES. 

o-rated  from  Long  Island  and  located  on  the  Raritan,  near  So- 
mcrvillc,  about  1683.  John  Inians,  a  merchant  of  New-York, pur- 
chased, November  10th,  1681,  a  tract  of  land  on  the  Raritan,  em- 
bracing the  territory  on  which  the  city  of  IsTew-Briinswick  was 
afterward  built,  and  others  soon  bought  up  nearly  the  whole  space 
subsequently  included  in  the  Three-Mile  Run  and  Six-Mile  Run 
congregations.  Inians  fixed  his  residence  on  his  land  near  the  river, 
and  established  a  ferry  near  what  is  now  the  foot  of  Albany  street. 
A  road  or  bridle-path  had  been  opened  at  an  early  day  from  Eliza- 
beth to  Trenton,  on  an  old  Indian  trail,  which  crossed  the  river 
at  the  place  where  Inians's  ferry  was  located.  We  have  a  notice 
of  the  existence  of  this  path  as  early  as  leVY,  Avhen  William 
Edmundson,  a  preacher  among  the  Quakers  in  England,  attempted 
to  pass  between  these  two  points  with  an  Indian  guide,  and  lost 
his  way  ten  miles  west  of  Ne  \v -Brunswick,  and  was  a  whole  day 
occupied  in  retracing  his  steps,  camping  out  during  the  night  by 
a  fire  in  the  wilderness.  This  path  became  the  first  public  tho- 
roughfare across  the  State,  and  exists  still  in  "  the  old  road  " 
between  New-Brunswick  and  Trenton.  The  importance  of  it  as 
a  means  of  communication  by  land,  between  New-Amsterdam 
and  Virginia,  Avas  so  great  that  Inians  obtained  a  grant  for  his 
"ferry"  December  2d,  1697,  by  promising  to  pay  an  annual  rent 
of  five  shillings  sterling.  On  this  "  old  road  "  the  first  settlements 
were  made  west  of  NcAV-Brunswick.  When  the  upper  parts  of  the 
Raritan  began  to  be  visited,  another  path  first,  and  then  a  road, 
branched  off  on  the  east  side  of  the  "ferry,"  and  following  mainly 
the  river  bank  on  the  north  side,  reached  Bound  Brook,  and  gra- 
dually penetrated  westward  to  the  forks  of  the  north  and  south 
branches.  By  this  road  the  first  settlers  about  Somerville  must 
have  come,  or  else  they  made  their  way  up  the  river  in  small 
boats  or  canoes,  from  Inians's  ferry  and  Amboy. 

Soon  after  the  Tunisons  and  Van  Nests  settled,  Cornelius 
Vroom,  Michael  Hansson,  Andries  Aullyn,  Derick  Middagh, 
Michael  Van  Veghten  came  and  joined  them.  Frederick  Gar- 
retson,  William  Morrison,  John  Oatman  Wortman,  Jacob  Sebring, 
Isaac  Bodyn,  Edward  Drinkwater,  Reuben  Jonsen,  Johannes 
Dameld,  Gabriel  Lebertstein,  Ilendrick  Reyniersen,  John  Roelof- 
son,  Thomas  Posselle,  Folkerd  Hendricksen,  Pieter  Dumont,  John 
TIanse  Hoeverden,  Josias  Merlett,  Cornelius  Powelsen,  William 
Claessen,  and  others  soon  found  their  way  to  Raritan. 

In  the  vicinity  of  Three-Mile  Run  the  earliest  names  derived 
from  the  church  records  are  Roclcf    Sebring,  Ilendrick  Brics, 


lIISTOJilCAL    NOTES,  IGl 

Roelf  Lucas  Van  Yoorlioes,  Aavt  Arisen,  Isaac  Van  l>yke, 
Johannes  Folkersen,  Jan  Aten,  Laurens  AVilliains,  Jacob  Oukc, 
Roelef  Nevius,  Charles  Fonteyn,  ILins  Stoothuff,  and  Tliomas 
Bowman.* 

Contemporary  with  these  names  we  have,  in  tlie  year  ]  TOS,  a  list 
of  persons  at  Three-Mile  Run  subscribing  for  the  expense  of  pro- 
curing a  minister  from  Holland,  namely,  Dolis  liegeman,  Tunis 
Quick,  Ilcndrick  Einans,  Thomas  Cort,  Jacob  Probasco,  Nicholas 
Wyekotf,  Aaron  L.  Draver,  Michael  L.  Moore,  John  Schedeman, 
Nicholas  Van  Dyke,  John  Van  Ilouten,  William  Bennet,  Fol- 
kerd  Van  ISTostrand,  Isaac  Bennet,  ITendrick  Fanger,  Abraham 
Bennet,  Cornelius  Peterson,  Philip  Folkersen,  George  Anderson, 
Stophel  Probasco,  Isaac  La  Priere,  Simon  Van  Winkle,  Cobes 
Benat,  Garrit  Oatman,  Lucas  Coevert,  Brogun  Coevert,  William 
Van  Duyn,  John  Folkerson,  Jost  Benat. 

These  names  embrace  the  nucleus  out  of  "which  the  churches  of 
Three-Mile  Run  and  Six-Mile  Run  were  subsequently  organized. 
They  were  here  before  Theodorus  J.  Frelinghuysen  was  called  to 
labor  in  this  part  of  New-Jersey.  Others  were  in  time  added  to 
them  by  emigration,  as  the  country  improved.  We  find,  for  in- 
stance, in  the  records  of  Raritan  the  following  :  Derich  Volkerse, 
Garret  Bolmer,  Jan  Lavor,  Simon  Wickkolf,  William  Claesse, 
Pieter  Iloff,  Garret  Dorlandt,  Andrics  Boert,  Jan  Broka,  James 
Fontejm,  Adrian  Molenar,  Jacob  Rappelyea,  Joris  Hael,  Jan 
Laeten,  William  Lambers,  Pieter  Kinne,  Jacob  Stoll,  LTendrick 
Traphagen,  Luykes  Schermcrliorn,  Jan  Ilendricksen,  Joris  Van 
Middles waert,  Johannes  Fisher,  Jeremias  Field,  Lnyckas  Wessels, 
Jacob  Koersen,  Nicholas  Hayman,  Cornells  Van  Ouwegen,  An- 
drics Ten  Eyck,  William  Dey,  Manuel  Van  Allen,  Abraliam 
Elemetcren,  Johannes  Siegeler,  Cornells  Van  Ondeyen,  'Wilem 
Ilerrite,  Jurijen  Remer,  and  oihers.  Some  of  these  names  are  yet 
borne  by  persons  among  us,  honored  in  church  and  state;  but 
liow  many  have  ceased  to  have  any  living  representatives  !  "  One 
generation  passeth  away  anil  another  followeth,"  and  in  tlic 
wrecks  of  time  the  proudest  names  perish.  It  is  a  necessity  grow- 
ng  out  of  our  transitory  existence,  and  the  reign  of  death. 

The  earliest  record  of  an  ecclesiastical  character  which  has  been 
preserved,  relating  to  the  churches  of  Somerset  County,  is  dated 
March  9th,  ]  699,  and  being  translated  reads  as  follows :  "The  follow- 
ing persons  Avere  chosen,  (tneaning  as  a  consistory,)  namely,  John 
Tuynesen  as  elder,  and  Pieter  Van  Nest  as  deacon,  and  were  in- 

*  Wo  give  tlic  spelling  in  the  record. 


1G2  HISTORICAL   NOTES. 

Stalled  before  the  congregation  by  Guliam  BertliolfF.  At  the  same 
time  the  ordinance  of  the  holy  sacrament  Avas  administered  to  the 
communicants  by  the  above  named  person,"  This  is  all  tlie  record 
we  have  in  reference  to  the  organization  of  our  chur(;h,  the  first 
organized  religious  society  in  the  county  ;  and  there  are  no  docu- 
ments and  no  traditions  pointing  out  where  these  services  were 
held,  or  of  any  building  for  religious  worship  in  our  vicinity  prior 
to  1*721.  It  is  liardly  credible  that  some  jDlace  had  not  been  pro- 
vided before  this.  There  is  reference  to  a  church  building  at 
Three-Mile  Run  as  early  as  1703,  and  such  a  building  was  erected 
at  Six-Mile  Run  in  1717,  and  at  ISTortli-Brancb  in  1710,  It  is 
hardly  probable  that  the  people  of  Raritan  were  the  last  to  move 
in  such  an  important  matter  ;  but  if  they  had  any  building,  where 
was  it  ?  We  are  inclined  to  the  opinion  that  all  their  meetings 
were  at  some  private  house,  perhaps  in  a  barn  belonging  to  John 
Tunison  or  Peter  Van  Nest,  Rev.  Guliam  Betholf,  the  actor  in 
this  important  transaction,  was  originally  a  schoolmaster  and 
"  voorleser, "  or  clerk,  in  the  church  at  Hackensack.  lie  Avas  sent 
by  the  congregation  to  Holland  in  1693  to  be  licensed  and  or- 
dained, and  seems  to  have  commended  himself  to  the  chassis  of 
Amsterdam,  for  they  clicorfally  granted  the  request  of  the  people 
of  Hackensack,  and  sent  him  back  to  them  as  an  ordained  minis- 
ter. He  is  said  to  have  been  the  second  person  who  went  from 
Xew-Netherland  to  Holland  for  this  important  purpose.  On  his 
return  he  preached  at  Hackensack  and  Acquackanonk  statedly, 
and  was  for  fifteen  years  the  only  settled  preacher  in  New-Jersey. 
He  had,  in  consequence,  a  general  suj^ervision  of  all  the  churches 
in  the  colony,  and  may  be  said  to  have  been  a  domestic  mission- 
ary at  large,  and  very  much  on  his  own  charges  at  the  same  time. 
Tappan,  Tarrytown,  and  Staten  Island  as  well  as  Raritan  in  their 
records  show  evidence  of  his  presence  and  of  his  labors.  It  is 
also  known  that  he  ofiiciated  at  Ponds,  Pompton,  Bellvillc,  and 
other  places  from  time  to  time.  He  is  said  to  have  possessed  "  a 
mild  and  placid  eloquence  which  persuaded  by  its  gentleness,  and 
attracted  by  the  sweetness  which  it  distilled,  and  the  holy  savor 
of  piety  which  it  diffused  around."  His  hand  was  largely  in  "  the 
beginnings"  of  several  of  our  Dutch  churches,  and  if  all  the  other 
hands  had  been  guided  by  such  a  kindly  spirit  as  he  breathed,  the 
"  beginnings"  would  have  taken  hold  faster,  and  their  progress 
would  certainly  have  been  more  efiectual  in  promoting  godliness. 
From  1G81  to   1699,  a  period  of  eighteen   y-nrs,  the  families 


niSTOlUCAL   XOTES.  16o 

wliicli  had  made  this  portion  of  the  State,  or  colony,  as  it  then 
Avas,  their  home  had  had  few  or  no  religious  privileges.  It  is 
probable  that  occasionally,  at  least,  some  clergyman  from  New- 
York  or  Long  Island  visited  them  and  preached  the  Gospel  to 
them  ;  at  least  this  may  have  been  done  during  the  latter  years  of 
this  period ;  but  yve  have  no  documentary  evidence  to  that  eftect. 
And  again,  from  1699  to  1717  or  1718  there  were  evidently  only 
occasional  services  in  any  of  the  churches  then  existing.  The  re- 
cords of  baptisms  at  Raritan  are  September  19th,  1099,  April 
30th,  1700,  September  26Lh,  1700,  March  11th,  1701,  Xovember 
18th,  1701,  April  21st,  1702,  October  27th,  1702,  March  23d,  1703, 
January  30th,  1703  ;  and  so  on  nniformly  twice  in  each  year, 
through  the  whole  period.  There  is  one  entrance  which  is  pecu- 
liar :  Cornelius  Powelson  and  his  wife  had  eight  children,  namely, 
Maritie,  Lisabel,  Maria,  Cornells,  Benjamin,  Josias,  William,  and 
John,  baptized  as  sjwnsors.  These  were  probably  their  grand- 
children, as  the  names  of  the  parents  are  omitted  in  the  record — 
they  may  have  been  deceased.  In  17 04,  there  are  three  days 
noted  on  which  children  were  admitted  to  the  ordinance  of  bap- 
tism, namely,  April  20th,  August  1st,  and  January  1 7th.  These 
records  until  April,  1717,  arc  all  evidently  made  by  the  same 
hand,  and  if  the  notice  of  the  first  ordination  of  consistory  on 
March  9th,  1699,  Avas  made  by  the  Rev.  G.  Bartholft' himself,  then 
he  seems  to  have  preached  at  Raritan  ordinarily  twice  during  the 
year,  in  the  spring  and  in  the  autumn,  when  he  also  administered 
the  sacrament  of  the  Lord's  Supper  to  the  church. 

The  call  from  Raritan,  Three  Mile  Run,  Six-]Mile  Run,  and 
Xorth-Branch  must  have  been  prepared  and  sent  forward  to  the 
classis  of  Amsterdam  as  early  as  1717  or  1718  ;  for  it  is  stated 
that  when  Theodoras  J.  Frelinghuysen  accepted  it,  it  had  been 
waiting  two  years.  This  is  evidence  that  there  must  have  been 
churches  already  regarded  as  having  been  regularly  constituted 
in  all  these  three  districts,  but  we  have  no  other  evidence  of  this 
iuiportant  fact.  Of  any  church  editices  we  only  know  that  the 
Tliree-]\Iile  Run  church  was  l)uilt  on  the  main  road  about  three 
miles  west  from  New-Brunswick,  and  the  burying-ground  around 
it  is  still  preserved,  and  marks  the  spot  Avhere  it  stood.  The 
North-Branch  church  was  constructed  of  logs,  and  stood  on  the 
Second  river-bank,  directly  west  of  the  Two  Bridges,  on  the  north 
side  of  the  road  to  Readington.  As  early  as  1703,  the  people  of 
Three-Mile  Run  had  moved  in  the  matter  of  a  preacher  of  the 


16-1  HISTORICAL   XOTES. 

Gospel,  and  raised  a  sum  of  money  amounting  to  £10  18s.  Gd.  to 
pay  the  expense  of  procuring  one  from  Holland.  There  may  have 
been  a  church  edifice  in  that  vicinity  as  early  as  this  time,  but  it 
is  hardly  probable.  There  was  none  at  Raritan,  certainly,  earlier 
than  1721.  This  edifice  was  erected  on  land  donated  by  Michael 
Van  Vechten,  and  it  stood  on  the  knoll  on  the  north  side  of  the 
river,  one  fourth  of  a  mile  below  the  present  bridge  across  the 
Karitan,  known  as  "  tlie  old  bridge."  The  road  from  Bound  Brook 
to  Somerville  ran,  at  that  time,  a  few  yards  north  of  it.  It  re- 
mained standing  fifty-eight  years,  until  it  Avas  burned  by  the  Bri- 
tish dragoons,  known  as  the  Queen's  Rangers,  commanded  by 
Colonel  Symes,  on  the  27th  of  October,  1779. 

If  we  consider  the  circumstances  by  which  the  people  in  Som- 
erset County  had  been  surrounded,  we  shall  easily  form  a  proper 
conception  of  their  spiritual  condition.  They  had  been  living 
nearly  forty  years  in  a  new  and  uncultivated  country.  Hearing 
the  Gospel  only  a  few  times  in  the  year,  a  whole  generation  had 
been  born  and  educated  without  public  worship.  The  schools 
were  no  better  than  the  churches.  A  state  of  manners  and  of 
morals  must  have  been  gendered  under  such  circumstances  which 
was  any  thing  but  favorable  to  religion.  The  country  in  which 
they  lived  was  rude,  and  it  could  hardly  be  expected  that  the 
people  would  be  otherwise.  The  outward  forms  had  in  some 
measure  been  maintained,  but  the  spirit  of  religion  must  have 
been  largely  wanting. 

We  have  then,  at  the  time  Mr.  Frelinghuysen  took  charge  of 
the  religious  hiterests  in  tliis  vicinity,  three  churches,  more  or 
less  completely  organized.  Raritan  in  1699,  Three-Mile  Run  in 
l703,  and  North-Branch  in  1719.  In  process  of  time  the  Three- 
Mile  Run  church  was  divided,  one  portion  going  to  New-Bruns- 
Avick,  and  the  other  to  Six-Mile  Run.  This  took  place  early,  as  it 
appears  a  church  Avas  organized  there  in  l7lO.  The  division  proba- 
bly was  gradual,  and  resulted  from  the  preponderance  of  interest 
in  the  Three-Mile  Run  church,  centering  in  NcAV-Brunswick.  There 
is  a  list  of  members  of  "  the  Church  of  the  River  and  LaAvrcnce 
Brook  "  dated  1717,  and  including  seventy-three  individuals,  name- 
ly, Adrien  Bennet  and  wife,  Aart  Artsen  and  Avife,  Isaac  Van  Dyke 
and  Avife,  Roelef  Sebring  and  Avife,  Johannes  Folkersen  and  Avife, 
Hendrick  Bries  and  Avife,  Roelef  Van  Voorhees  and  Avife,  Laurens 
Willimse  and  Avife,  Roelef  Nevius  and  Avife,  Jan  Van  Voorhees 
and  Avife,  Minne  Van  Voorhees  and  Avife,  Jacobus  Oukee  and  Avife, 


HISTORICAL   NOTES.  lOo 

Johannes  Stootliofl'and  wife,  Abraliani  P>eniu't  and  w  ife,  Jakis  Fon- 
teyn  and  wife,  Siarles  Fonteyn  and  wife,  Jakobus  Buys  and  wife, 
Thomas  Auten  and  Avii'e,  Thomas  Davidts  and  Avife,  William 
Klaasen  and  wife,  Thomas  Bouwman  and  wife,  Andries  Wortinan 
and  wife,  Johannes  Koevert  and  wife,  Ilendrick  Meecli  and  wife, 
IJernardus  Kuelor  and  wife,  Christofel  Van  Arsdalen  and  wife, 
Jakop  Corse  and  wife,  Cornelius  Suydara  and  wife,  Joris  Anderse 
and  wife.  Marten  Van  der  Iloeve,  Johannes  Metselaer,  Samuel 
Montfort,  Jan  Aten,  William  Moore,  Nicckhis  Bason,  Maria  Fre- 
lanth,Elizabet  Bries,  AnnaticFolkerson,  Ileelena  Iloglandt,  Mare- 
geretie  IJeynierse,  Barbara  Janse,  Geartic  Smock,  Elizabet  Smock, 
and  Katrina  Boyd.  Thes(*  were  the  original  members  of  the 
Xew-Brunswick  church.  This  list  adds  to  the  names  ah-eady 
given  only  twelve,  namely,  Trelanth,  Bries,  Buys,  Van  der  Iloeve, 
Bason,  Meech,  Kuetor,  Metselaer,  Smock,  ^'an  Arsdalen,  Boyd, 
Suydam.  At  Xortli-Branch,  we  have  Andries  Ten  Eyck,  Abraham 
Dubois,  John  Purscll,  Josua  Chrison,  Jan  Ilendi'icksen,  Daniel 
Sebring,  Coenrad  Ten  Eyck,  Derick  and  Michael  A'an  Veghteii, 
•Alexander  McDowall,  Jan  Van  Sicklen,  Benjamin  Bart,  Jacob 
Stoll,  Tennis  Van  Middleswaert,  George  Hall,  Albert  Lou,  Wil- 
liam Kosa,  Paulus  Bulner,  Lucas  Schermerhorn,  Pieter  Van  Neste, 
William  Krom,  John  Cock,  Joris  Van  Neste,  Emanuel  Van  Etten, 
Johannes  Grau,  Jolni  Emmens,  Coert  Jansen,  George  Dildein,  John 
1  leading,  Gerret  Van  Vliet,  Hendrick  Rosenboom,  Frans  Wal- 
dron,  Godfried  and  Philip  Peters,  David  Cussart,  David  Subaii-, 
Isaac  Bodine,  Abraham  Broca,  all  before  1T23. . 

The  following  notice  of  Theodorus  Jacobus  Frelinghuysen,  the  , 
first  minister  of  these  churches,  was  prepared  some  years  since/ 
and  recently  published  in    Sprague's  A>mals  of  the   Americans 
Pulpit.^     It  embraces  all  that  has  been  collected  concerning  his  , 
person,  life,  and  ministry.     It  is  iiot  as  much  as  ought  to  liave 
been  preserved,  but  it  is  all  that  we  have  been  able  to  collect 
from  all  known  sources  of  reliable  information  ;  a  large  portion  is 
tradition,  but  we  believe  it  is  reliable. 

Theodorus  Jacobus  Frelinghuysen  Avas  born  at  Lingcn,  in  East- 
Frieslang',  now  the  northwest  i)art  of  the  kingdom  of  Llanover, 
about  the  year  1G9L  He  was  the  son  of  Johannes  Ilenricus  Fre- 
linghuysen.pastor  of  the  Peformcd  Dutch  churcli  in  tliat  j)lace,  and 
a  l»rother  of  Matthias  David  Frelinghuysen,w]io  settled  in  llorligen, 
Holland.     He  seems  to  have  received  his  education  chieHy  in  his 

*  See  Steele's  Hist.  Discourse,  page  209. 
11 


166  HISTORICAL   NOTES. 

native  place,  under  the  instruction  of  the  Rev.  Otto  Verbrugge, 
Avho  afterward  became  a  professor  at  Groningen.  lie  was  or- 
dained to  tlie  pastoral  oiftce  at  Embden  in  his  native  countrj^  by 
Johannes  Brunius,  in  the  year  1*717.  He  came  from  Holland  to 
America  in  the  ship  King  George,  Captain  Goclet,  in  1*720,  or  per- 
haps the  end  of  1719,  as  he  preached  in  New- York  January 
17th,  l720,  and  settled  immediately  as  the  pastor  of  the  Reformed 
-Dutch  church  at  Raritan,  Somerset  County,  IST.  J,  He  preached 
liis  first  sermon  at  Raritan,  January  31st,  1720,  from  2  Cor.  5  :  20  : 
"  Now  then  we  are  ambassadors  for  Christ,  as  though  God  did 
beseech  you  by  us  :  we  pray  you  in  Christ's  stead,  be  ye  reconciled 
to  God."  A  call  from  this  church  hatl  been  sent  some  two  years 
previous  to  the  classis  of  Amsterdam  for  their  approval,  wliich, 
according  to  the  usages  of  their  cliurch  in  this  country,  they  were 
expected  to  fill  up  with  tlie  name  of  a  suitable  person,  and,  after 
ordaining  him,  send  him  out  to  fulfill  its  duties.  Tn  this  way  all 
vacancies  were  supplied,  and  a  Christian  ministry  furnished  to  the 
■congregations  which  had  been  collected  in  their  colonies  in 
America.  The  Rev.  Mr.  Sicco  Tjady,  a  godly  minister  belong- 
ing to  that  classis,  it  is  said,  interested  himself,  through  the  inMu- 
ence  of  the  Rev.  Bernardus  Freeman,  of  Long  Island,  in  procuring 
an  evangelical  and  pious  man  to  fill  this  station.  While  the  call 
from  Raritan  was  waiting  and  inquiries  were  being  made  for  some 
one  willing  to  accept  it,  young  Frelinghuysen  ])assed  through  the 
place  of  his  residence,  from  East-Friesland,  on  his  way  to  Emb- 
den, having  been  invited  to  the  rectorship  of  the  academy  in  that 
city.  He  ])ut  up  for  the  night  at  the  house  of  one  of  the  elders 
of  the  church  of  which  Rev.  Sicco  Tjady  was  pastor.  The  eve- 
ning Avas  spent  in  religious  conversation,  and  when  the  time  for 
family  worship  arrived,  the  young  stranger  was  invited  to  con- 
duct it.  He  readily  consented,  and  after  reading  a  chapter  of  the 
Word  of  God,  gave  a  short  and  familiar  exposition  of  its  promi- 
nent truths,  and  concluded  with  ])rayer.  The  elder  was  much 
gratified  wilh  his  remarks,  the  fervor  of  his  prayer,  and  his  pre- 
vious conversation,  and  so  entirely  convinced  of  his  piety  and 
spiritual-mindedness,  that  in  the  morning,  when  he  was  about  to 
proceed  on  his  journey,  lie  exacted  from  him  a  promise  on  his  re- 
turn to  call  upon  him  again,  and  then  hastening  immediately  to 
his  pastor,  exclaimed,  "  I  have  found  a  man  to  accept  the  call 
from  x\merica."  Frelinghuysen,  after  visiting  Embden,  returned, 
according  to  his  promise,  to  the  house  of  the  elder,  was  introduced 


HISTORICAL    KOTES.  107 

to  Sicco  Tjady,  consulted  in  I'cfi'ix'nce  to  the  call,  and  linall  v  ai:^recd 
to  aecejtt  it.     The  circumstances  appeared  providential,  and,  it  is 
said,  Avere  always  regarded  by  himself,  as  having  been  a  divine 
iuLimation,  poiuiing  out  to  him  the  path  of  duty,     lie  felt  as  if 
when  leaving  the  land  of  his  birth  and  the  house  of  his  fathers,  7 
lie   was,   like  the   patriarch,  following   the   direction   of   the  Al-  ; 
mighty. 

AVhen  lie  arrived  and  entered  upon  the  duties  of  his  ministry, 
he  found  immediately  a  wide  field  of  usefulness  opening  before 
him.  Tlic  church  at  Karitan  had  been  organized  since  1696,  but 
Avas  still  feeble  and  scattered.  It  had.  enjoyed  previously  to  this 
time  only  occasional  religious  services,  perhaps  not  oftencr  than 
three  or  four  times  a  year.  In  such  a  condition  piety  could  not 
be  expected  to  flourish,  nor  the  Gospel  to  produce  much  fruit ; 
and  the  state  of  things  which  Mr,  Frelinghuysen  found  existing 
on  his  arrival,  did  not  prove  the  contrary.  The  form  of  relio-ion 
was  retained,  but  there  were  only  a  few  in  the  church  who  mani- 
fested any  eftect  of  its  ^Jowcr. 

The  territory  embraced  in  his  charge  was  great  for  one  indivi-  \ 
dual  to  supervise.       It  extended  from  New-Brunswick   to  the    ' 
north  and  south  branches  of  the  Raritan  River,  in  length  from 
fifteen  to  twenty  miles,  and  in  breadth  from  ten  to  tw^elve,  com-     < 
prehending  nearly  the  Avhole  of  the  present  county  of  Somerset,    ' 
east  of  the  mountain,  and  at  this  time  occupied  by  sixteen  con-    • 
gregations  of  the  Reformed  Dutch'  church.     The   place   of  his 
residence  was  about  three  miles  west  of  New-Brunswick;    and 
thence  he  visited  and  preached  at  all  the  different  points  where 
his  services  were  required.      Near    his    residence  was  a  small 
church,  known  at  that  time  as  the  church  at  Three-Mile  Run, 
since  removed  to  New-Brunswick,  and  now  divided  into  two  sepa- 
rate charges.     The  other  points  where  places  for  public- worship 
liad  been  provided,  besides  Raritan,  were  Six-Mile  Run,  and  North- 
Branch,  in  all  four  churches.     But  his  heart  was  not  appalled  bv 
tlie  extent  and  weight  of  his  responsibilities,  nor  his  zeal  abated 
by  the  difficulties  and   discouragements  which   it   encountered. 
For  twenty-seven  years,  at  least,  he  labored  in  this  extensive  field 
Avith  unceasing  diligejice  and  most  remarkable  success.     "The 
wilderness  was  converted  into  a  fruitful  field,''  flourishing  like 
"  tlie  garden  of  the  Lord,"  and  nuiltitudes  rejoiced  in  the  hope 
of  salvation.     Here  W'hitefield  found  him  in  1739,  and  made  the? 
following  record  in  his  journal :  '        '7 


1G3  HISTORICAL   NOTES. 

'•At  Xow-Brunswick  some  tliousands  gathereJ  from  various 
parts  of  the  country,  among  Avhom  there  had  been  considerable 
awakening  by  the  instrumentalities  of  Mr.  Frelinghuysen,  a  Dutcli 
minister,  am\  the  Messrs.  Tennent,  Blair,  and  Rowland."  Jona- 
than Edwards  refers  to  this  awakening  in  his  narrative  of  several 
revivals  of  religion  in  Xew-England  in  17-iO,  in  the  following- 
words  :  "  And  also  at  another  place,  under  the  ministry  of  a  very 
pious  young  gentleman,  a  Reformed  Dutch  minister,  whose  name, 
I  remember,  was  Frelinghuysen."  Gilbert  Tennent  also,  in  1744, 
writing  to  the  Rev.  Mr.  Prince,  of  Boston,  notices  the  same  revival 
of  religion  as  the  effects  of  his  preaching.  "  The  labors  of  the 
Rev.  Mr.  Frelinghuysen,  a  Dutch  Calvinistic  minister,  were  much 
blessed  to  the  people  of  New-Brunswick  and  places  adjacent, 
especially  about  the  time  of  his  coming  among  them,  which  was 
about  twenty-four  years  ago.  When  I  came  there,  which  was 
about  seven  years  after,  I  had  the  pleasure  of  seeing  much  of  the 
fruits  of  his  ministry.  Divers  of  his  heai'ers,  with  whom  I  had 
an  opportunity  of  conversing,  appeared  to  be  converted  people  by 
their  soundness  in  principle,  Christian  experience,  and  pious  prac- 
tice, and  these  persons  declared  that  the  ministrations  of  this 
aforesaid  gentleman  were  the  means  thereof.  This,  together 
with  a  kind  letter  which  he  sent  me  respecting  the  necessity  of 
\  dividing  the  Word  aright  and  giving  to  every  man  his  portion  in 
due  season,  through  the  divine  blessing,  excited  me  to  greater 
earnestness  in  ministerial  labors." 

These  are  the  only  records  remaining  of  a  most  extensive  and 
powerful  revival  of  religion,  the  history  of  which  has  never  been 
written,  and  now  it  can  not  properly  be  done,  for  the  materials 
l)ave  nearly  all  perished.  In  attempting,  at  this  late  day,  to  do 
the  subject  some  justice,  we  necessarily  depend  almost  wholly 
upon  tradition.  This  agrees  in  representing  the  work  to  have 
been  general,  powerful,  and  evangelical,  resulting  in  the  saving 
.  conversion  to  Christ  of  many  precious  souls.  It  characterizes  tlie 
J  piety  of  those  who  experienced  its  power  as  being  warm,  practi- 
1  cal,  and  self-denying.  Among  its  subjects  the  young  were  the  most 
numerous,  and  thi'ough  a  long  life  they  continued  to  manifest  the 
genuineness  of  the  change  wrought  in  all  their  views  and  aifections, 
being  most  of  them  eminent  as  examples  of  faith,  of  piety,  and  of 
prayer.  What  Tennent  saw  and  admired  in  those  Avitli  whom  he 
conversed,  was,  to  a  greater  or  less  extent,  common  to  all.  No  one 
who  had  known  in  himself  the  power  of  the  grace  of  God,  could 


IIISTORICAL    NOTES.  169, 

fail  to  recognize  in  them  "  the  ima2;e  of  the  Iieavenly,"  or  refuse  to 
acknowledge  the  agency  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  hy  which  they  had 
been  renewed  and  sanctified.  Years  have  rolled  away,  and  the 
last  of  them  has  long  since  been  translated  to  the  joys  of  immor- 
tal life ;  but  neither  the  sense  of  the  value  of  their  influence  for 
good,  nor  the  conviction  of  the  depth  and  reality  of  tlieir  piet}^ 
has  ceased  to  be  felt  in  tliis  part  of  the  Church.  After  careful 
researches  in  every  jtlace  wliere  there  was  any  prospect  of  obtain- 
ing information  as  to  the  precise  number  who  embraced  religion, 
as  the  fruits  of  this  gracious  work,  I  have  been  obliged  to  aban- 
<Ion  the  hope  of  succeeding.  No  documents  remain  throwing  any  ^ 
light  upon  the  subject,  except  at  Ilai-itan,  and  those  are  brief  and  J 
imperfect.  The  greatest  number  received  at  any  one  communion,  y 
or  confession  of  faith  was  seventy ;  the  average  aggregate,  iovty-J 
four.  This  was  certainly  greater  than  the  whole  number  of  fami- 
lies included  in  the  congregation  at  that  time.  If  we  suppose 
the  work  to  have  been  equally  extensive  in  the  others,  and  there 
is  nothing  to  forbid  it,  the  aggregate  would  amount  to  two  hun- 
dred and  twenty.  This  is  probably  too  large,  yet  all  tlie  tra- 
ditionary recollections  show  the  influence  to  have  been  very 
general.  No  one  points  to  any  particular  place  as  having  been 
more  especially  favored  than  the  others  ;  and  thus  the  above  con- 
clusion is  left  quite  unimpaired. 

The  most  prominent  peculiarity  of  the  preaching  of  Mr.  Freling- 
liuysen,  and  which  in  his  day,  and  among  those  who  were  capable 
of  uiulerstanding  the  Dutch  language,  was  a  subject  of  extensive  ^  ^ 
remark,  and  finally  of  protracted  controversy,  consisted  in  those 
clear  and  discriminating  views  of  the  nature  and  necessity  of  the 
religion  of  the  heart,  which  it  conveyed  to  liis  hearers  in  pointed 
language  and  almost  conversational  familiarity.  A  very  cursory 
reading  of  his  printed  discourses  Avill  show  an  unusual  frequency 
of  the  iise  of  interrogation,  which  is  succeeded  immediately  by 
pointed,  pithy  answer.  In  this  way  he  seems  to  have  taxed  the 
attention  of  his  hearers  to  the  utmost,  and  rendered  his  whole  \ 
discourse  almost  like  a  ])ersonal  conversation  between  himself  and 
each  one  individually.  The  doctrines  of  regeneration,  repentance, 
faith,  holiness,  are  nowhere  more  strikingly  illustrated,  or  more 
earnestly  advocated.  lie  had  evidently,  in  his  own  heart,  a  deep 
experience  of  their  jiower.  From  an  allusion  to  his  personal  ex- 
perience, found  in  the  ])ri'face  to  one  of  his  volumes,  it  seems  as 
if  he   had,  like  Bimyan,  1/eeu  brought  ihrougli  deeji  waters  and 


.170  HISTORICAL   KOTES. 

dark  temptations  before  lie  ciiiljraced  tlie  hope  of  life  througli 
Christ.  "I  am  the  man,"  says  lie,  "  wlio  has  seen  trouble,"  lie 
uniformly  insisted,  firmly  and  earnestly,  on  the  necessity  of  re- 
generation, to  a  profitable  participation  of  the  Lord's  Supper.  On 
one  occasion  it  is  said  that,  when  administering  the  communion 
in  the  church  at  Six-Mile  Run,  he  cried  out,  as  he  saw  the  com- 
municants approaching  the  table,  "See!  see!  even  the  people  of 
the  world  and  the  impenitent  arc  coming,  that  they  may  eat  and 
drink  judgment  to  themselves."  Several  individuals,  feeling  them- 
selves pointed  at,  paused  after  having  left  their  seats,  and  re- 
turned to  them,  not  daring  to  commune  !  In  exory  instance,  be- 
fore acknowledging  any  one  to  be  a  Christian,  he  required  a  con- 
sistent account  of  his  religious  experience.  In  bis  view,  conviction 
of  sin,  and  a  sense  of  guilt,  always  preceded  faith  and  comfort  in 
Christ. ;  He  may,  in  sonio  instances,  have  erred  in  ad])ering  too 
tenaciously  to  his  theory.  It  was,  in  fact,  one  of  the  charges  of 
]>is  opposers,  that  in  visiting  the  sick  and  dying,  he  began  by 
I  preaching  "  the  terrors  of  the  lau',"  and  sometimes  left  them  even 
\  without  a  word  of  comfort,  though  he  could  not  know  that  he 
would  ever  see  them  again,  and  in  some  cases  did  not. 

Now,  all  this  was  in  striking  contrast  to  what  the  people  had 
been  accustomed  to.  Evangelical  sentijnents  were  by  no  means 
common  even  among  the  ministry  of  the  church  in  that  day. 
They  adhered  to  the  doctrines  of  the  Reformation  ;  but  the  power 
and  spirituality  of  that  great  religious  movement,  and  that  most 
copious  effusion  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  had  in  a  gi'eat  measure  ceased 
to  exist.  All  were  not  in  such  a  lifeless  state,  indeed,  but  many 
were,  and  the  course  of  Air.  Frelinghuysen  was  spoken  against  in 
high  places.  He  was  called  an  enthusiast,  because  he  insisted 
upon  the  necessity  of  a  change  of  heart.  But  he  heeded  not  the 
clamors.  Pursuing  a  uniform  and  energetic  course,  and  waxing 
stronger  and  stronger  as  he  gathered  around  hini  those  in  whoso 
conversion  he  had  been  instrumental,  and  securing  the  confidence 
of  that  part  of  the  ministry  of  the  church  who  Avere  men  ot 
spiritual-mindedncss,  he  waited  jxatiently  for  the  great  triumph 
of  his  principles. 

The  most  extensive  inquiry  into  the  character  of  the  revival 
under  his  ministry  Avhich  has  yet  been  made,  has  uniformly 
resulted  in  a  conviction  of  its  purity — the  dee])ly  experimental 
character  of  the  work,  and  the  scriptui-al  piety  which  it  produced. 
My  own  convictions  in  this  respect  harmonize  witli  those  of  all 


HISTORICAL   NOTES.  171 

the  others  with  wliom  I  have  conversed.  It  is  believed  that  even 
at  this  day  we  are  enjoying  some  of  the  fruits  of  that  blessed 
woi-k,  in  tliat  general  attention  to  gospel  ordinances  and  the 
wide  diftusion  of  the  spirit  of  piety  which  characterize  the 
cliurches  now  existing  in  the  sphere  of  its  influence. 

The  change  effected  was  a  great  one.  Tlie  wliole  spiritual  life 
of  the  churches  was  aifi?cted  by  it.  It  weut  to  uproot  ancient 
customs;  it  attacked,  cherished  hopes  and  convictions,  made  those 
last  who  had  been  first,  and  showed  the  confident  and  the  secure 
that,  while  "  having  a  name  to  live,  they  were  dead  in  trespasses 
and  sins."  It  required  all  his  energy  to  meet  the  crisis — all  liis 
love  of  truth  to  prevent  him  from  sacrificing  it  for  the  sake  of 
avoiding  difficulties.  But  lie  never  paused  for  a  moment.  He  had 
known  the  love  of  God  in  himself ;  how  could  he  refrain  from  re- 
commending its  peace  to  his  dying  fellow-men  ?  He  believed  that 
tlie  blood  of  Christ  alone  cleanses  from  sin;  how  could  he  fail  to 
direct  tlie  inquirer  to  the  life-giving  fountain  ?  In  a  charge  so 
extensive,  and  under  circumstances  requiring  so  much  labor  and 
attention  to  the  spiritual  interests  of  individuals,  ]Mr.  Frelinglnu>- 
sen  found  himself  straitened  beyond  measure.  The  expedient 
which  he  adopted  as  a  relief  was  as  novel  as  it  proved  to  be  ju- 
dicious and  successful.     At  the  present  day  it  would  be  regarded 

~-si,Sr-Si-V4Ptf~nei0~mea&ure.\IIe  could  not  depend  npon,  or  to  any 
extent  secure,  the  assistance  of  his  brethren  in  the  ministry,  for 
there  were  none  nearer  than  Ilackensack  and  New- York.  Perhaj  is 
he  had  confidence  in  only  a  few  of  them,  and  the  anxious  could 
not  be  left  without  instruction  and  prayer  ;  he  therefore  appointed 
two  of  his  most  intelligent  and  pious  elders  in  each  of  his  congre- 
gations, and  termed  them  helpers.  In  his  absence  they  conducted 
the  meetings  for  prayer,  conversed  Avith  the  anxious  and  awa- 
kened, and  instructed  the  youths  by  catechetical  recitations.  The 
effect  of  this  expedient  was  happy  at  the  time.  The  selection,  too, 

^eems  to  have  been  eminently  judicious  ;  and  the  individuals  con- 
tiinied  to  be  regardccl  and  ttt  act  as  leaders  in  the  religious  ser- 
vices, and  guides  to  the  people,  as  long  as  they  lived.  They  Avere 
viewed  as  a  kind  of  under-shepherds,  and  several  of  them  are 
still  remembered  as  being  particularly  eminent  in  their  piety, 
gifted  in  prayer,  and  happy  in  the  influence  which  they  exerted. 
It  has  been  noticed  too,  in  more  than  one  instance,  that  very 
special  blessings  seemed  to  rest  on  their  descendants,  as  if  their 
piety  had  been  transmitted  as  an  inheritance  from  their  ancestors. 


172  [  HISTORICAL   NOTES. 

]>iit  it  must  not  be  supposed  that  such  a  course  did  not  incur  cen- 
sure, or  tliat  a  ministry  so  efficient  and  discriminating  in  holding  up 
to  view  the  difference  between  formalism  and  true  piety — the 
religion  of  the  heart  as  distinguished  from  that  which  is  satisfied 
with  a  fruitless  faith — could  be  exercised  without  opposition. 
Some  of  those  who  had  been  most  prominent  as  the  friends  of  the 
church  J  felt  themselves  condemned  by  many  of  the  doctrines 
which  Mr.  Frelinghuysen  i^reached.  His  views  of  regeneration, 
and  especially  his  insisting  so  earnestly  upon  evidence  of  a  new 
lieart  as  a  preparation  for  tlie  communion  of  the  Lord's  Supper, 
were  at  once  resisted.  "  ITow  can  he  know  if  the  heart  is 
changed?"  said  they.  "  He  sets  himself  to  be  the  judge  of  men's 
hearts;"  and  consequently  his  whole  course  was  condemned,  and 
his  preaching  treated  with  ridicule,  as  visionary  and  enthusiastic. 
Several  of  his  sermons  were  specified,  and  particular  passages  and 
expressions  seriously  censured.  This  led  him,  as  early  as  1721,  to 
])ublish  a  small  volume  containing  these  same  discourses,  in  order 
to  show  what  doctrines  he  really  preached,  and  against  what  sen- 
timents his  opponents  objected.  The  subject  of  the  first  is,  "The 
Broken  Heart  and  Contrite  Spirit,"  Isa.  00  :  2  ;  of  the  second, 
"The  Lord's  Supper,"  1  Cor.  11  :  29;  of  the  third,  "Christian 
Discipline,  or  the  Power  of  the  Keys,"  Matthew  10  :  19. 

That  I  have  formed  a  correct  judgment  in  reference  to  the 
cause  of  the  opposition  to  the  ministry  of  Mr.  Frelinghuysen,  and 
that  I  am  not  unjust  in  attributing  it  to  the  doctrines  which  he 
preached,  and  especially  to  the  fact  that  he  insisted  so  strongly 
upon  the  necessity  of  spiritual  influence  and  a  change  of  heart, 
and  held  up  prominently  the  difference  between  vital  godliness 
and  a  mere  belief  of  doctrines  without  practice,  will  be  abun- 
dantly evident  from  the  very  vindication  itself,  which  his  oppo- 
nents thought  it  necessary  for  them  to  prepare  and  publish.  It 
is  contained  in  a  pamphlet  of  one  hundred  and  forty-six  pages; 
and  is  an  able  and  most  ingenious  defense  of  its  own  principles, 
but  only  on  that  account  the  more  clearly  justifying,  to  an  enlight- 
ened Christian  understanding,  the  whole  course  of  Mr.  Freling- 
luiysen  ;  and  proving  tlie  evangelical  nature  of  his  preaching  and 
his  principles.  This  pamphlet  Mr.  Frelinghuysen  answered,  fully 
vindicating  his  whole  course,  and  explaining  and  proving  his  doc- 
trines to  be  those  of  the  Reformation,  and  especially  of  the  church 
of  the  Netlierlands.  This  refutation,  unfortunately,  is  lost.  Thus, 
it  seems  that  the  same  spirit  which  drove  Jonathan  Edwards  from 


JIISIOlilC'AL    NOTES.  173 

Nortlianiptoii  filso  Mustered  and  became  angiy  along  tlie  Raritan, 
wlieu  it  was  pressed  by  the  (iospel;  but  liere  it  was  eoinpletely 
etuKjuered  aud  driven  from  the  field.  His  language,  in  one  of  his 
sermons  in  reference  to  the  oblocpiy  which  he  met,  is,  "I  may  not 
liere  speak  of  what  I  suiter  personally;  so  I  have  made  noiiupiiry 
of  what  the  opposition  of  na^tural  men  has  led  them  to  say  behind 
my  back,  avIio  speak  not  according  to  the  truth  of  God's  Avord, 
but  according  to  their  own  crooked  conceptions.  They  deceive 
themselves  greatly  in  attempting  in  this  way  to  silence  me,  for  I 
would  rather  sufier  a  thousand  deaths  than  not  preach  the  truth." 
As  a  specimen  of  the  way  in  which,  at  other  times,  he  saw  fit  to 
meet  the  obloquy  of  his  enemies,  I  may  mention  that  he  ])rinted  on 
the  back  of  his  sleigh  the  following  doggerel  : 

Niemands  tonof,  iio;^  nieniands  pen, 
Maakt  my  amders  dan  ik  ben  ; 
Spreek  quaad-spreekers,  spreek  vonder  end, 
Niemands  en  Avord  van  u.  gesclicnd. 

Xo  one's  tonjjue,  nor  no  one's  pen, 
Makes  me  other  than  I  am  ; 
Speak  evil  speakers,  speak  without  end, 
No  one  heeds  a  Avord  you  pretend. 

]3ut  perhaps  you  Avill  think  that  in  this  last  proceeding  there  Avas 
a  si)ice  of  human  nature.  Be  it  so;  I  do  not  suppose  the  good 
man  to  have  been  faultless,  or  incapable  of  provocation.  I  paint 
no  perfect  character. 

In  process  of  time,  Avhat  at  first  was  mere  dissatisfaction  Avith 
the  doctrines  of  Mr.  Frelinghnysen  became  organized  and  poAverful 
opposition,  and  embraced  some  of  the  most  Avealthy  and  resjiect- 
able  families  in  his  pastoral  charge.  It  Avas,  no  doubt,  fostered 
by  several  clergymen  of  eminence  in  his  own  denomination,  who 
])rofessed  great  attachment  to  the  ancient  forms  and  customs  of 
the  fatherland.  They  eventually  allii'<l  themselves  closely  to- 
gether, forming  a  distinct  party  in  the  Dutch  church;  and  finally 
it  resolved  itself  into  tiie  division  of  Coetus  and  Conferentie,  and 
only  died  out  alter  the  devolution,  Avhen  the  churches  broke  off" 
all  connection  Avith  tlie  Classis  of  Amsterdam,  adopted  a  consti- 
tution of  their  own,  and  l)egau  to  move  forward  in  tlie  very 
course  Avhich  Mr.  Frelinghuysen  had  pointed  out. 

The  publications  of  Avhich  I  have  spoken  are  all  in  the  Dutch 
language.  Copies  of  them  exist  in  the  collections  of  the  Histori- 
cal Society  in  Xew-York.     The  sei-mons  are  of  a  high  order  of 


17-1  HISTORICAL   NOTES. 

,  excellence.  Direct,  pun!:i;ent,  and  practical,  they  aim  at  the  heart, 
,'  and  seem  calculated  effectually  to  reach  it.  It  is  questionable 
whether  they  are  surpassed  in  this  peculiar  characteristic  by  any 
sermons  of"  their  day.  In  my  judgment,  at  least,  they  have  not 
been  superseded,  or  rendered  useless,  by  any  thing  which  has 
since  proceeded  from  tlie  2:)ress.  . 

As  a  scholar,  Mr.  Frelinghuysen  was  more  than  respectable,  if 
.not  absolutely  eminent.  The  fact  of  his  having  been  called  in 
his  youth  to  such  a  position  as  the  rectorship  of  the  Academy  of 
Embden  is  sufficient  proof  of  this.  But  we  have  that  which  is 
more  direct :  a  small  volume  containing  the  Heidelberg  Cate- 
chism in  Latin,  with  blank  leaves  intervening,  for  the  purpose  of 
notes  and  observations,  exists,  in  which  the  preparations  to 
preach  on  the  different  Lord's  days  are  made  in  that  language ; 
manifesting  as  great  a  familiarity  with  it  as  if  it  had  been  his 
vernacular  ;  and  constantly  and  habitually  quoting  also  the  Greek, 
and  writing  its  characters  quite  caligraphically.  Besides  these 
evidences  of  scholarship,  there  are  so  many  classic  allusions  found 
in  all  his  discourses,  as  to  prove  conclusively  his  intimate  fami- 
liarity with  classic  literature.  I  conclude,  therefore,  that  he  was 
unquestionably  a  ripe  scholar  in  both  the  Latin  and  Greek 
languages.  I  am  disposed  to  rank  Theodoras  Jacobus  Freling- 
huysen among  the  eminent  men  of  his  age,  a  compeer  Avith  the 
Blairs  and  the  Tennents,  with  Stoddard  and  the  Mathers.  I 
think  it  questionable  whether  awj  one  of  all  these  exerted  a  wider 
influence,  or  benefited  the  cause  of  practical  religion  more  largely. 
Living  for  forty  j^ears  amid  the  very  scenes  where  this  influence 
was  felt,  ministering  in  the  very  church  the  infancy  of  which  it 
fostered,  and  having  had  every  opportunity  to  observe  the  deep 
reverence  with  which  his  memory  is  even  yet  cherished,  I  may 
speak  earnestly  but  not  too  partially.  He  was  a  great  and  good 
man.     The  cause  of  2:)ractical  religion  owes  him  much. 

The  exact  date  of  Mr.  Frelinghuy sen's  death  has  not  been 
ascertained.  It  must  have  been  previous  to  April  26th,  174  8, 
since  the  Elder  Ilendrick  Fisher  reported  to  the  Coctus  in  Xew- 
York  at  that  date  the  vacancy  of  the  church  at  New-Brunswick. 
His  remains  were  laid  in  the  old  cluirchj-ard  at  Tln-ee-Mile  Run, 
under  an  apple-tree  on  the  north  side.  Some  remains  of  the 
stump  of  this  tree  are  said  still  to  be  visible.  Iv'o  monument  has 
ever  been  erected  to  his  memory ;  but  liis  well-spent  life,  in  build- 
ing  up   churches   ia  a  territory  embracing   over  two    hu:i,li-L'  1 


HISTORICAL   NOTES.  1/.) 

square  miles,  and  embracing  at  the  present  time  more  than  fifty 
congregations,  is  liis  most  fitting  memorial ;  lie  needs  no  other. 

His  wife,  named  Eva,  was  a  daughter  of  Albert  Terhuiic,  of 
Flatbush,  Long  Island,  a  farmer  of  wealth  and  respectability. 
Her  excellence  and  piety  as  a  mother  are  attested  abundantly  by 
tlie  fruits  of  her  care ;  all  her  children  devoted  themselves  early 
to  God.  Whether  she  siirvived  him,  or  when  and  where  she  died, 
is  not  known.  All  his  children  Avere  Levites.  His  five  sons  de- 
voted themselves  to  the  ministry,  and  his  two  daughters  united 
themselves  with  ministers. 

It  may  be  a  matter  of  interest  and  importance  to  enter  some- 
what more  minutely  into  the  character  and  the  motives  of  tlie 
opposition  which  JNIr.  Frelinghuysen  encountered  at  TJaritan.  It 
is  not  only  common  for  a  revival  of  religion  to  stir  up  the  enmity 
of  the  human  heart,  even  among  professing  Christians  ;  but,  in 
this  instance,  the  character  and  motives  of  the  opponents  give  an 
insight  into  the  real  nature  of  the  dispute.  It  Avas  in  existence 
before  he  came,  and  finally  merged  itself  into  the  division  of  the 
whole  church  into  what  is  knoAvn  as  the  Coetus  and  Conferentie 
parties.  We  have  as  our  guide  a  document  Avhich  the  opponents 
of  Mr.  Frelinghuysen  themselves  put  forth,  and  Avhich,  therefore, 
they  can  not  gainsay.  It  is  a  pamphlet  of  150  pages,  drawn  up  ^^ 
Avith  laAvyerlike  skill  and  talent— ajiparently  by  Mr.  Boel,  a  bro-  ,( 
ther  of  one  of  the  collegiate  pastors  in  New-York,  who  is  called 
"  the  advocated  The  folloAving  is  a  fair  summary  of  the  argu- 
ments employed  to  condemn  Mr.  FrelinghuA'sen.  It  is  jnit  fortli  c 
in  the  name  of  tliree  prominent  elders  in  the  churches  which  he 
AA'as  serving^Simon  WyckotF,  Peter  Dumont,  and  IlendrickVroom. 
They  accuse  their  pastor  of  ])reaching  false  doctrine,  and  depart- 
ing from  tlie  order  and  usages  of  the  church.  In  y^roof  of  the 
charge,  they  specify  that  Avheu  he  first  came,  he  declined  to  admit 
to  the  Lord's  Supper  any  except  those  Avho  could  give  a  satisfac- 
tory account  of  their  Christian  experience,  even  though  they  had 
been  regular  members  of  the  churcli ;  that  he  insisted  strenuously 
on  the  necessity  of  a  change  of  heart ;  that  he  said  on  a  sacra- 
mental occasion  at  Six-]Mile  Hun,  that  he  kncAV  there  Avere  indi- 
viduals Avho  had  "eaten  and  druid<en  Judgment  to  themselves;" 
that  he  allowed  persons  to  be  put  into  church  ofiice  against  Avhom 
there  AA'cre  unfavorable  rejtorts ;  and  Avhen  told  Avhat  these  re]>orts 
Avere,  he  characterized  them  as  "  old  Avives'  fables."  'J'he  indi- 
viduals referred  to  in  this  last  charge  seem  to  have  been  Hendrick 


176  HISTORICAL    NOTES, 

Fisher,  and  his  friend  and  brother-in-law,  Scliureman,  tlie  teacher. 
Against  both  these  men  a  violent  popular  clamor  liad  been  excit- 
ed, mostly,  it  seems,  because  they  sympathized  with  the  dominie, 
and  supported  him.  Schureman  came  with  him  from  Holland,  and 
acted  as  a  school-master ;  and  they  accused  him  of  being  unwilling 
to  teach  the  children  the  Lord's  Prayer,  because  it  was  a  "  form," 
and  the  use  of  it  encouraged  "  formalism."  Tliey  also  pretend 
that  the  results  of  his  preaching  px'oduced  dissension  and  divisions, 
even  in  pr'vate  families,  and  bring  forward  a  letter  of  young  Peter 
Wortman  to  his  parents,  as  an  instance  in  jioint.  The  letter  is 
most  unfortunate  for  the  cause  which  it  is  given  to  strengthen. 
Rei^ding  it  dispassionately,  it  seems  to  us  strange  that  so  much 
could  have  been  atlemj^ted  to  be  made  of  it.  It  is  simjjly  a  fer- 
vent and  affectionate  appenl  from  a  pious  young  man  to  his  father 
and  mother,  to  pause  and  consider  and  turn  to  the  Lord.  Just 
such  a  lecte:'  as  we  have  no  doubt  has  often  been  written  to  other 
parents  when  all  the  joy  and  peace  of  a  recent  conversion  were 
present  to  an  ingenuous  mind.  We  think  better  of  the  heart  of 
that  young  man,  and  worse  of  the  spirit  of  the  cause  attempted  to 
be  advanced  by  quoting  it. 

Besides  these  main  facts,  a  great  variety  of  other  circumstances 
are  enumerated ;  for  instance,  that  at  North-Branch,  at  the  first 
communion,  he  partook  first  of  the  elements  himself,  and  then 
winked  and  beckoned  to  certain  women  to  come  forward,  an.d  gave 
next  to  them  ;  that  at  Six-Mile  Itun  he  gave  it  to  Schureman  alone, 
and  made  an  address,  and  then  afterward  to  others  who  are 
named ;  that  lie  refused  to  baptize  certain  cliildren,  because  he 
said  their  parents  belonged  to  Claas  Ilayman's  people ;  that  in  his 
family  visitations  he  was  very  severe,  and,  as  they  expressed  it, 
"knocked  down"  the  hopes  and  confidence,  even  of  those  who 
had  long  belonged  to  the  church ;  that  he  expressed  a  want  of 
confidence  in  the  religious  character  of  persons  who  were  unim- 
peached  ;  that  he  would  not  comfort  the  sick,  but  alarmed  them 
by  preaching  the  necessity  of  conversion,  especially  when  they  did 
not  belong  to  his  party.  But  the  burden  of  the  whole  is,  "  valse 
leer"  and  "  wedergeborte,"  that  is,  false  doctrine  and  regenera- 
tion ;  and  the  fact  that  after  he  had  cited  them  and  they  refused 
to  appear,  he  had  suspended  them  from  the  communion  of  the 
church. 

As  the  result,  then,  of  the  whole  complaint,  as  stated  by  their 
own  advocate,  we  arrive  at  the  following  conclusion  :   The  oppo- 


iii.-;toi;ical  ^:0T]•:s.  177 

sition  at  first  liad  Its  origin  in  a  disrelisli  of  plain,  practical,  and 
earnest  preaching  on  the  part  of  men  Avho  were  really  more  for- 
malists than  any  thing  else  ;  that  it  was  fostered  by  a  partisan  view 
of  the  question,  Avhat  were  the  rights  and  M'hat  the  interests  of 
the  churches  in  America,  and  how  far  they  ought  to  remain  sub- 
ordinate to  the  ecclesiastical  authority  in  Holland  ;  that  the  ques- 
tion in  the  church  at  large  was  embittered  by  conflicts  of  feeling 
— perhaps  ambition  and  influence  ;  that  it  continued,  because  there 
could  be  no  compromise,  since  principle,  faith,  and  Christian  expe- 
rience were  involved  in  it ;  while,  on  the  other  hand,  at  Raritan 
there  was  no  abatement  of  the  first  disrelish  of  evangelical  preach- 
ing, but  rather  an  increase  of  dislike,  as  the  work  of  grace  went 
on,  and  the  power  of  the  truth  became  more  and  more  manifest 
in  the  numei-ous  conversions  in  all  the  churches  to  which  Mr.  Fre- 
linghuysen  ministered.  Thus  is  our  judgment  formed  from  read- 
ing their  complaint.  The  fact  is,  that  in  Somerset  County,  and 
more  so  elsewhere,  the  Coetus  men  were  the  men  of  evangelical 
life  and  sentiment — the  men  of  progress,  of  practical  piety,  prayer, 
and  godliness  ;  that  the  others  were  the  men  of  exact  order,  forms, 
rules;  and  they  felt  it  to  be  necessary  to  maintain  all  this,  at  any 
expense  of  convenience  or  of  progress.  It  was  the  Fatherland, 
the  churches  in  the  Fatherland,  their  authority  and  ecclesiastical 
supremacy  ;  and  not  what  the  circumstances  and  exigencies  of  the 
churches  here  demanded.  Time  has  justified  the  liberality  and 
advancement  contended  for  by  the  one,  and  condemned  the  con- 
tracted and  illiberal  spirit  manifested  by  the  others.  Our  college, 
our  seminary,  our  advancement  in  every  necessary  enterprise  arc 
all  results  of  what  was  then  contended  for.  The  success  of  Con- 
fcrentle  would  have  beeii  ulliniately  destructive  to  every  churcli 
which  had  been  planted  in  Xew-Amstordam  and  her  dependencies. 
The}'  may  have  been  good  men,  and  honest  and  sincere  in  their 
views  and  in  their  course;  but  we  can  not  commend  either  their 
spirit  or  their  ])lans  of  action.  There  was  no  adaptation  to  cir- 
cumstances, and  no  provision  for  progress  and  enlargement.  The 
war  of  Avords  was  long  and  bitter,  but  it  ended  where  such  conten- 
tions always  end — in  a  victory  for  liberty,  advancement,  and 
action. 

We  have  also  ol)tained  from  this  old  pamphlet  some  interesting 
historical  facts.  Frelinghuysen  was  a  minister  in  East-Friesland 
before  he  came  over  to  America,  and  a  member  of  the  Synod  of 
Kniberlandt.     The  call  which  he  accepted  was  sent  to  Holland  by 


178  HISTORICAL    XOTES. 

the  Rev.  Bernanlus  Fj-eemnn,  of  Flatbiisli,  Long  Island,  and  was 
approved  by  the  above  synod.  lie  came  to  the  Classis  of  Am- 
sterdam on  recommendation  anU  dismission,  and  having  been  re- 
ceived by  tliem,  ^vas  commended  earnestly  to  the  ministers  and 
churches  in  Xew-Xetherland.  He  arrived  in  Xew-York  in  the 
winter  of  l7l9  and  1720,  and  preached  for  Dominie  Boel  in  one 
of  the  collegiate  churches  on  the  IVth  of  January,  l720.  This  was 
his  first  public  service,  and  propeidy  his  recognition  by  the  church. 
lie  can  have  been  here  biit  a  few  days  previous  to  this  date.  On 
this  occasion  he  omitted  the  use  of  the  Lord's  Prayer,  both  on  the 
0})ening  and  conclusion  of  the  service.     This  led  to  a  conversation 

1  between  himself  and  Boel,  which  seems  to  have  resulted  in  a  loss 
of  confidence  on  the  part  of  both.  They  ascertained  that  there 
was  between  them  a  wide  difterence  and  diversity  of  view  and 
spirit ;  and  Frelinghuysen  afterward  termed  such  men  as  Boel 
'''' forinallsteny  Schureman  is  reported  to  have  said  that  the 
church  at  Xew-York  was  "ecu  heydense  kerk" — a  heathenish 
church. 

In  May,  1720,  the  widow  Coevers  testifies  that  he  had  not  then 
yet  been  four  months  in  his  pastoral  charge.  This  is  a  confirma- 
tion of  the  date  of  his  arrival  being  about  January  1st,  and  of  his 

Jiaving  taken  l)is  charge  about  the  1st  of  February.     When  he 

I  came,  it  is  said  the  people  were  generous  to  him,  and  instead  of 

I  the  five  acres  promised  in  the  call,  provided  fifty  acres  for  him, 

'  and  built  him  a  large  house. 

On  the  3d  of  March,  1720,  a  month  after  liis  settlement,  he 
wrote  from  Xew-Brunswick,  l)y  Schureman,  to  Dominie  Boel,  re- 

i  questing  him  to  purchase  for  him  "  een  sulver  sak  liorologe" — a 
silver  watch;  and  in  a  concluding  paragraph  of  his  letter  append- 
ed a  warm  practical  exhortation  to  the  practice  of  true  piety, 
which  was  afterward  quoted  against  him   as  presuming^  in   so 

I  young  a  man  ;  and  another  instance  to  the  same  effect  is  given  of 
the  same  thing  in  a  letter  to  Dominie  Duboise. 

The  complaint,  besides  the  names  of  Simon  AVyckoft',  Peter 
Dumont,  and  Ilendrick  Yroom,  is  signed  by  sixty-four  heads  of 
families,  of  which  fourteen  had  been  either  elders  or  deacons,  five 
church  masters,  and  two  justices  of  the  peace.  These  names  are 
evidently  gathered  from  all  the  congregations,  and  formed  the 
strength  of  the  opposition.  It  is  certainly  not  a  formidable  force  ; 
but  it  contained  enough  to  make — as  it  did — a  lasting  trouble. 
Frelinghuysen  never  saw  the  end  of  it.     We  give  these  names  to 


HISTORICAL    NOTES.  179 

indicate  the  weii^lit  of  tlie  o})position,  in  otlicr  -words,  llio  Coiifc 
rentio  men  at  this  time,  namely,  Cornelis  Tnnisen,  Jan  Tunisci  , 
Jan  llendricksen,  Jan  Broca,  Pieter  Kinne,  Jeronimus  Van  Xesi, 
Aart  Aarsen,  Albert  Low,  Adrian  Lane,  Esq.,  Lneas  Scliermer- 
lioorn,  Coert  Jansen,  Adrian  liegeman,  Jan  Vliet,  Ilendrick  Jan- 
sen,  Ary  Molonaai',  Ary  Boerem,  Jacob  Bnys,  Jan  Wot'rtman, 
Adrian  Ten  Eyck,  Ilendrik  Enunans,  Nicolas  Ileyl,  Jan  Xnn 
Sickclen,  Fredrick  Van  Leewen,  Jacobus  ]]ennet,  Sen.,  Jacobus 
Benuet,  Jun.,  Pieter  lloff,  Jacob  Probasco,  widow  Johannes  Coe- 
vers,  Christofcl  Hooglandt,  AVilem  Van  Duyn,  Gysbert  Krom, 
Wilem  Krom,  Abram  Le  Foy,  Hannes  Specter,  Frans  Waldron, 
Nicolas  Ilayman,  Coos  Vroom,  Joost  Scliamp,  Jacobus  Stryker, 
Sarah  Brinkerhoff,  widow  of  Jacob  Kapelje,  Leendert  Smak, 
(icorge  Anderson,  Thomas  Bort,  Abraham  Gray,  John  PifFenger, 
Andries  Andriesen,  ]Michel  Moor,  Adolf  Ilardenbrook,  Pieter  Bo- 
dyn,  Tunis  Van  Middleswaert  Cornelisen,  Cornelis  Teunissen,  Jan 
Middleswaert,  Jun.,  Gideon  Mertel,  Burgon  Coevei-s,  Gilysbert 
Lane,  Abraham  Selover,  Denys  Van  Dujni,  Ilendrik  Smak,  Cor- 
nelis De  Hart,  Isaak  Bennet,  Adrian  Bennet — and  of  the  dead 
Ilendrik  Tra[ihagcn  for  his  widow,  Danielm  de  Voor,  David 
Marines,  Cristofel  Beekman  for  his  Avidow. 

The  church  officers,  on  March  28th,  1723,  were  Joscs  Van  Neste, 
Johannes  Sebring,  of  the  consistory  of  Raritan,  Barent  De  Witt, 
Dirck  Van  Arsdalen,  Six-Mile  Hun ;  Roelif  Nevius,  Minnc  Voor- 
liees,  Three-Mile  Hun  ;  Cornelius  Bogaardt,  Andries  Ten  Eyck, 
North-Branch,  and  Elbert  Stoothoff"  clerk.  These  names  are  ap- 
pended to  a  citation  to  the  ojjponents  to  apjiear  before  consistory. 

May  9lli,  1'723,  a  second  citation  is  signed  by  Joses  Van  Nest, 
Ilendrik  Bries,  Barent  De  Witt,  Jan  Stryker,  Thomas  Boerum, 
Emanuel  Van  Netten,  Andries  Ten  Eyck,  Elbert  Stoothoff,  clerk. 

Tli(>  dissatisfaction,  it  seems,  began  as  soon  as  ]Mr.  Frelingliuy- 
seu  settled.  As  early  as  1721,  the  Messrs.  Boel,  the  Dominie  and 
Advocate,  had  written  a  letter  of  encouragement  to  the  disaffect- 
eil,  which  led  3Ir.  Frelinghuysen  to  stigmatize  them  as  "adxisers 
to  evil,  and  miscliief-makers;"  and  it  is  sufficiently  evident  that 
throughout  the  whole  course  of  the  dispute,  these  men,  witii 
others,  by  countenance  and  advice,  strengthened  and  embittered 
the  opposition.  When  a  difficulty  arose  about  salary,  they  were 
at  once  consulted  ;  but  after  Coers  Vroom  had  been  sued  before 
justices  Ilendrik  Iloseboom  and  Jacob  Sebring,  and  had  been 
mulcted  in  expense,  there  v;as  no  more  refusal  to  jjay  subscrijitions. 


180  iriSTOUICAL    NOTES. 

On  December  lltli,  1721,  a  letter  was  obtained  from  Micliael 
Van  Vegliten,  npon  whose  land  the  "  new  church  "  was  built,  and 
which  was  now  nearhj  completed^  (this  fixes  the  date  of  the  first 
church  edifice  at  llaritan,)  to  the  eftect  that  Schureman  should 
clear  himself  from  the  scandal  attached  to  him,  before  the  consis- 
tory, and  in  this  way  peace  be  restored,  or  Frelinghuysen  should 
not  go  in  the  pulpit.  A  compromise  was  effected,  and  it  was 
agreed  that  he  might  preach,  provided  he  would  publish  a  meet- 
ing of  the  four  United  Consistories  from  the  pulpit,  in  reference 
to  this  matter;  but  it  is  added,  that  it  all  eventuated  in  nothing. 
The  Consistory  of  Karitan  at  this  time  were  Joses  Van  Nest,  Jan 
Bogaardt,  elders ;  Jan  Sebring,  Tennis  Van  Middleswaert,  deacons. 

As  early  as  1721,  Mr.  Frelinghuysen  published  his  sentiments 
in  regard  to  spiritual  or  experimental  Christianity  and  church  dis- 
cipline, and  gave  offense;  and  in  July,  1723,  he  printed  a  refuta- 
tion of  what  is  called  "  a  letter  without  a  name,  or  a  warning  to 
all  the  lovers  of  the  ti'uth."  This  pamphlet  seems  to  be  lost ;  a 
small  fragment  is  all  that  we  have  ever  seen. 

In  1722,  about  the  time  of  Easter,  Hendrik  Fisher  was  appoint- 
ed a  deacon  in  the  church  at  Six-Mile  Run,  and  Johannes  Tol- 
kertsz  and  Charles  Fonteyn,  elders ;  Fisher  being  at  that  time  a 
young  man.  This  appointment  was  objected  to  by  Simon  "Wyck- 
off,  on  the  ground  of  rinfavorable  reports  against  his  character. 
Witnesses  were  examined  in  the  presence  of  David  Marines,  Esq., 
namely,  Adrian  Bennet,  Willem  Van  Gelder,  and  Paul  Auten  ; 
but  Frelinghuysen,  convinced  there  was  no  ground  for  the  reports, 
proceeded  to  ordain  him.     This  created  also  a  great  clamor. 

In  the  midst  of  all,  however,  the  friends  of  practical  piety  re- 
mained firm  in   their  attachment  to  their  pastor,  falling  back 
jilways  upon  the  manifest  power  of  liis  preaching,  and  the  con- 
stant witness  and  presence  of  the  Holy  Spirit  in  the  conversion  of 
\  sinners;  and  results  have  justified  them  fully. 

In  the  beginning  of  liis  ministry,  Frelinghuysen  and  Schiyeman 
'  boarded  together  at  the  house  of  Hendrik  Keynierez  ;  but  where 
exactly  he  lived  is  not  ascertained.  It  was  somewhere  in  the 
vicinity  of  the  Three-Mile  Run  church.  Even  this  intimacy  be- 
I  tween  the  dominie  and  liis  school-master  occasioned  mifavorable 
]-emarks.  Afterward  they  married  sisters,  daughters  of  All)ert 
Terhune,  on  Long  Island.  jNIrs.  Frelinghuysen's  name  was  Eva  ; 
and  tlie  early  piety  of  her  five  sons  and  two  daughters  shows 
fairly  what  a  woman  she  must  have  been — a  helper  of  her  husband 


HISTORICAL   NOTES.  181 

ill  all  his  work,  and  most  in  his  own  house  !  Schureman,  in  some 
way,  did  not  succeed  in  securing  tlie  confidence  of  the  community, 
and  may  have  increased  the  difficulties  of  Mr,  Frelinghuysen's 
situation.  Even  his  friend  Dominie  Freeman,  of  Long  Island,  is 
reported  to  have  said,  "  Had  Frelinghuysen  dat  esel  Schureman 
iiiet  mede  gebraghte,  sonde  nooyt  so  ver  gekomen  zyn,nog  so  een 
trouble  of  sporting  gehadt."  The  candor  of  this  opinion  remains 
unimpeached  so  far  as  facts  testify. 

Previous  to  his  accepting  the  call  and  coming  to  America,  Fre- 
linghuysen had  published  a  catechism,  in  the  preface  to  which  he 
complimented  Jacobus  Koelman,  a  Holland  divine,  as  "  a  bright  star 
in  the  firmament."  This  led  Boel,  of  New- York,  to  stigmatize  him 
as  "  a  Koelmanist  and  Labbadist ;"  but  in  what  these  divines  were 
heterodox  we  are  not  able  to  say.  In  a  word,  results  have  proved 
that  in  the  spirit  of  his  course,  if  not  in  every  detail,  he  was  in 
the  right,  and  his  enemies  in  the  wrong.  Charity  leads  us  to  add, 
that  much  of  their  wrong  Avas  due  to  the  opinions  and  the  spirit 
of  their  associates. 

We  proceed  to  some  account  of  Dominic  Frelinghuysen's  chil- 
dren. His  eldest  son  was  named  Theodore,  and  was  born  at  Three- 
MileKun  in  1'724  or  1725.  Ho  graduated  at  Princeton  College  in 
1749 — it  would  seem  while  his  father  was  pastor  at  Albany,  as  he 
was  settled  there  in  1745,  immediately  after  his  return  from  Hol- 
land, Avhere  he  had  been  licensed,  after  studying  theology  Avith 
Goetchius.  This  was  during  his  father's  lifetime.  lie  was  the  suc- 
cessor of  Rev.  Cornelius  Van  Shie,  whohad  died  August  15th,  1744. 
He  remained  at  Albany  for  fifteen  years,  and  was  becoming  a  man 
of  influence  and  power  in  the  churches,  earnest  in  his  advocacy  of 
the  independence  of  the  church  from  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam,, 
and  one  of  the  most  strenuous  advocates  of  an  institution  in  Avhich 
a  ministry  could  be  properly  taught  and  trained.  He  was  so  pro- 
minent in  this  matter  that  the  contemplated  seminary  and  college 
was  commonly  called  by  the  Conferentie  party,  "  Frelinghuysen's 
academy."  He  was  its  most  earnest  and  constant  advocate,  and 
drew  upon  himself  the  reproach  of  its  opponents.  At  last  he  felt 
impelled  to  j^reach  a  very  pointed  sermon  against  fashionable 
amusements,  and  especially  theatrical  representations.  He  was 
induced  to  do  this  by  the  circumstance  of  a  regiment  of  royal 
troops  being  stationed  in  the  city  at  that  time,  the  officers  of  wJiich 
had  encouraged  and  pi'omoted  these  things.  On  Monday  morning 
he  JFound  at  his  door  an  image  with  a  statt',  a  silver  coin,  a  pair  of 
12 


,182  HISTORICAL  NOTES. 

shoes,  and  a  loaf  of  bread.  He  construed  this  as  an  intimation 
for  him  to  leave,  and  at  once  determined  to  do  so.  Amission  had 
been  assigned  him  some  time  previous,  by  the  Coetus,  to  collect 
funds  in  Holland  for  the  purpose  of  founding  a  literary  and  theo- 
logical institution  in  which  he  had  taken  a  very  deep  interest,  as 
we  have  seen.  Such  an  institution  was  demanded  by  the  wants 
of  the  church,  and  the  founding  of  it  urged  as  necessary  in  order 
to  free  the  churches  from  dependence  upon  the  Classis  of  Amster- 
dam, and  secure  to  them  a  cultivated  native  ministry  and  the  right 
of  ordination.  There  was,  moreover,  special  encouragement  for 
such  an  effort  at  that  time.  Michael  Schlatter,  of  Pennsylvania, 
had  just  returned  from  Holland  with  more  than  £30,000  for  the 
support  of  schools  and  the  ministry,  among  the  German  Reformed 
in  that  State.  Mr.  Frelinghuysen  sailed  from  New- York  October 
10th,  1759,  and  never  returned.  His  memory  was  long  precious 
among  the  godly  people  in  his  pastoral  charge  at  Albany,  and 
they  spoke  of  him  as  "  the  apostolic  and  much  beloved."  He  was  a 
man  of  more  than  ordinary  abilities  and  culture,  and  published  a 
catechism  in  1748,  which  received  the  approbation  and  indoi-se- 
ment  of  the  Coetus.  He  left  a  young  widow,  but  no  children. 
She  married  again,  and  recently  a  will  has  been  discovered  which, 
it  is  said,  promises  to  become  the  occasion  of  legal  proceedings,  on 
account  of  its  devises  never  having  been  executed. 

John  Frelinghuysen,  second  son  of  T.  J.  Frelinghuysen,  was  born 
at  Three-Mile  Run  in  1727.  He  seems  to  have  studied  pi-incipally 
with  his  father,  then  went  to  Holland,  and  was  absent  when  his 
father  died.  He  was  licensed  by  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam  in  1750, 
and  received  an  invitation  from  the  churches  in  Somerset  County 
to  return  and  occupy  his  father's  place.  A  copy  of  this  call  is  found 
in  the  minutes  of  Raritan,  dated  May  18th,  1747.  This  call  was 
approved  by  the  classis  in  1749,  and  he  arrived  at  Raritan,  after 
a  long  and  tedious  passage,  in  midsummer,  I7o0,  and  preached  at 
Raritan.  He  preached  his  introductory  sermons  at  Raritan,  Au- 
gust 3d,  from  the  words  of  the  Psalm, "  Instead  of  thy  fathers  shall 
be  thy  children,"  and  at  North-Branch  on  the  succeeding  Sabbath 
(the  10th)  from  Zech.  4:6,"  Not  by  might,  nor  by  power,  but  by 
my  spirit,  saith  the  Lord  of  Plosts ;"  and  again  in  the  afternoon  from 
Zech.  6  :  12,  "Behold  the  man  whose  name  is  the  Branch  ;"  and 
at  Millstone  on  the  succeeding  Sabbath,  the  17th,  from  the  133d 
Psalm,  "  Behold  how  good  and  how  pleasant  it  is  for  brethren  to 
dwell  together  in  unity."     He  commenced  his  ministry  in  the  three 


HISTORICAL   NOTES.  183 

congregations,  formerly  a  part  of  his  fatlier's  charge,  uudor  pro- 
mising auspices.  His  first  effort  was  to  heal  divisions,  but  the 
troublesome  Aroncleus  was  among  his  people  laboring  to  prevent 
it.  He  built  himself  a  house  in  Somerville  with  bricks  wliicli  liad 
been  sent  over  with  him  from  Holland,  and  commenced  by  liim- 
self  a  theological  school,  in  which  several  young  men  were  fitted 
for  the  ministry ;  and  every  thing  promised  fair  in  the  future, 
when  he  was  suddenly  arrested  by  death.  He  died  on  Long  Is- 
land, probably  at  the  house  of  his  mother's  parents,  on  his  way  to 
the  Coetus,  on  the  15th  day  of  September,  1754,  when  he  had 
preached  only  three  years  and  one  month  to  his  people. 

He  married  Dinah  Van  Bergh,  of  Amsterdam,  a  woman  of 
extraordinary  culture  and  piety,  who  was  afterward  known  as 
JaflTvrow  Ilardenbergh,  and  is  yet  remembered  at  Karitan  by  the 
children  of  those  who  had  enjoyed  the  savor  of  her  piety.  He 
was  the  only  son  of  T.  J.  Frelinghuysen  who  left  descendants, 
and  is,  therefore,  the  ancestor  of  all  who  have  since  borne  that 
name. 

Jacobus  Frelinghuysen,  another  son  of  T.  J.  Frelingliuysen, 
graduated  at  Princeton  1750,  studied  theology  under  Goetchius, 
went  to  Holland,  and  was  licensed  by  the  Classis  of  Utrecht, 
1753.  He  had  been  called  by  the  churches  of  Warwarsino-, 
Rochester,  and  Marbletown,  in  the  county  of  Ulster,  but  died  on 
his  passage  to  America,  it  is  said,  from  small-pox. 

Ferdinandus  Frelinghuysen,  another  son  of  T.  J.  Frelinghuysen, 
was  with  his  brother  in  Holland,  and  licensed  at  the  same  time. 
He  studied  under  Dorstius  and  Goetchius,  and  had  been  called  to 
Kinderhook,  but  on  his  way  home,  in  the  same  vessel  with  liis 
brother,  he  also  died ;  and  so  perished  on  the  sea  two  of  the  most 
l)romising  young  ministers  which  the  church  in  that  day  had  in  ex- 
])ectatiou — a  sad  commentary  on  the  absurd  doctrine  that  the 
churches  in  America  ought  not  to  have  the  privilege  of  ordaining 
their  own  ministers  after  she  had  educated  them. 

Henricus  Frelinghuysen,  another  and  the  youngest  son  of  T.  J. 
Frelinghuysen,  studied  theology  under  Dorstius  and  Goetchius,  but 
did  not  go  to  Holland  for  licensure.  The  fate  of  his  two  brothers 
seems  to  have  deterred  him.  Indeed,  it  had  much  to  do  with  the 
result,  soon  after  reached,  and  the  determination  of  the  Coetus  to 
licej)se  their  own  candidates.  He  seems,  in  fact,  to  have  been 
jn-eaching  at  Warwarsing,  llocliester,  and  Marbletown  for  almost 
a  year  before  he  Avas  really  authorized  to  preach;  but  in  1755  he 


18-i  HISTORICAL  NOTES. 

was  formally  admitted  to  the  ministry,  and  settled  in  the  above- 
mentioned  churches,  disappointed  in  the  death  of  his  brother  Jaco- 
bus. When  Theodore  of  Albany  communicated  to  them  the  news 
of  the  disaster  at  sea,  they  immediately  oiFered  the  position  to 
Henricus.  But  disaster  seemed  to  be  the  order  of  Providence  in 
regai-d  to  the  young  Frelinghuysens !  John  died  in  1754,  Jacobus 
and  Ferdinandus  in  1753,  and  now  Henricus,  in  1757,  deceased 
at  the  house  of  Mrs.  Bevier,  at  Naponock,  of  small-pox,  only  a 
fortnight  after  he  had  been  ordained  at  Marbletown.  His  remains 
were  interred  in  the  last-named  church,  under  the  pulpit.  In  1759, 
two  years  subsequently,  Theodore  went  to  sea,  and  was  never 
heard  from.  In  this  way,  in  less  than  ten  years  after  the  deatli 
of  the  father,  T.  J.  Frelinghuysen,  the  whole  of  his  five  sons  were 
in  their  graves,  leaving  a  little  child  named  Frederick,  the  only 
son  of  John,  and  a  daughter  named  Eva,  as  the  only  rej^resenta- 
tives  of  the  name  in  America. 

The  two  daughters,  Anna  and  Margaret,  botli  connected  them- 
selves by  max-riage  with  clergymen.  Anna  married  the  Rev.  Wil- 
liam Jackson,  long  pastor  of  the  church  of  Bergen.  The  follow- 
ing epitaph  is  inscribed  on  the  stone  at  the  head  of  her  grave  : 
"  Anna  Frelinghuysen,  consort  of  Rev.  William  Jackson,  who  de- 
parted this  life  May  3d,  1810,  aged  72  years."  Her  husband.  Rev. 
William  Jackson,  departed  this  life  July  25th,  1813,  aged  81  years. 

Margaretta  Frelinghuysen,  wife  of  Rev.  T.  Romeyn,  was  born 
November  12th,  1737,  married  June  29th,  l756,  died  at  Jamaica, 
Long  Island,  December  23d,  1757,  leaving  an  only  child,  T.  F. 
Romeyn,  successor  of  Dr.  Hardenbergh,  at  Raritan.  She  was  the 
eldest  of  the  two  daughters  of  T.  J.  Frelinghuysen.  Thus  Anna 
F.,  Mrs.  Jackson,  of  all  the  children,  lived  to  the  period  of  a  good 
old  age,  surviving  as  the  last  of  her  family  from  l759  to  1810. 

The  last  years  of  Mr.  Frelinghuysen's  ministry  are  left  in  ob- 
scurity. Even  the  time  of  his  death  is  only  approximately  ascer- 
tained as  being  previous  to  April,  1748.  His  residence  during  the 
last  years  of  his  life  was  on  a  farm  of  200  acres,  bought  of  Daniel 
Hendrickson  for  £550,  near  Three-Mile  Run,  forming  a  part  of 
the  land  now  or  lately  owned  by  John  Brunson.  It  is  described 
as  being  bounded  on  the  south-east  by  the  land  of  Daniel  Hen- 
drickson, north-east  by  the  pretended  line  of  the  heirs  or  assigns 
of  Peter  Sonmans,  north-west  by  David  Seguire,  south-west  and 
north-west  by  Cornelius  Bennet.  He  lived  at  one  time  in  Biirnet 
street,  ISTew-Brunswick ;  but  the  exact  locality  can  not  be  satisfac- 


HISTORICAL   NOTES.  185 

torily  ascertained.  lie  lives  in  his  deeds,  and  liis  monument  is 
found  in  the  results  of  his  life,  and  his  abounding  labors  for 
Christ's  church. 

After  the  sudden  death  of  John  Frelinghuysen,  in  1754,  the  atten- 
tion of  the  congregation  Avas  directed  to  Jacob  Rutzen  Ilardenbergh, 
one  of  his  students,  who  resided  in  his  family  at  tlie  time  of  his 
deatli,  and  subsequently  became  the  husband  of  his  widow,  Dinah 
Van  Bergh.  Ilardenbergh  was  tlie  son  of  Colonel  Johannes  Ilarden- 
bergh, of  Rosendale,  the  original  proprietor  of  the  "Ilardenbergh 
patent"  in  Ulster  County,  and  was  born  in  1738.  Tlie  date  of  this 
])atent  is  April  23d,  1708,  and  the  associates  of  Ilardenbergh  were 
Leonard  Lewis,  Philip  Rokeby,  William  Nottingham,  Benjamin 
Fanuel,  Peter  Fauconer,  and  Robert  Livingston.  It  embraced  the 
whole  of  Sullivan  County,  and  all  that  part  of  Delaware  east  of  the 
west  or  MohaAvk  branch  of  Delaware  River. 

After  his  marriage  to  Mrs.  Frelinghuysen,  Ilardenbergh  took  her 
to  his  father's  house,  and  continued  his  studies  until  he  was  licensed 
in  1758.  lie  immediately  returned  to  Raritan  to  occupy  the  house 
built  by  John  Frelinghuysen,  and  had  charge  of  Raritan,  North- 
Branch,  Neshanich,  and  Millstone.  lie  continued  in  this  charge  until 
1761,  Avhen  he  went  to  Holland  to  bring  out  from  thence  his  wife's 
mother,  then  a  widow,  and  was  accompanied  from  London  by  llov. 
Hermanns  Meyers,  afterward  settled  at  Kingston.  In  1763,  Mill- 
stone and  Ilarlingen  separated  from  the  other  congregations,  and 
called  the  Rev.  I.  M.  Van  Ilarlingen,  leaving  Hardenbergh  Raritan, 
North-Branch,  (since  Readington,)  and  Bedminster.  He  received 
the  honor  of  D.D.  from  Princeton  College  in  1770,  while  pastor  here. 
In  1781,  he  resigned  his  charge  in  Ne^v- Jersey  and  removed  to  his 
fither's  residence,  taking  charge,  in  the  mean  time,  of  the  churcii  of 
Rochester,  in  its  immediate  vicinity. 

The  following  notice  of  J.  R.  Ilardenbergh  was  originally  written 
and  published  in  Sprague's  Annals.  "We  reclaim  it  for  ourselves, 
now,  and  present  it  as  containing  all  that  is  known  of  its  subject. 

Jacobus  Rutzen  Ilardenbergh  was  born  at  Rosendale,  in  the  pre- 
sent county  of  Ulster,  (N.  Y..)  in  the  year  1737.  He  belonged  to 
what  has  sometimes  been  denominated  "the  Dutch  aristocracy  of  the 
State  of  New-York."  His  ancestor,  Johannes  Hardenbergh,  who  v^-as 
by  birth  a  Prussian,  migrated  to  this  country  some  time  after  the  middle 
of  the  seventeenth  century,  and  is  said  to  have  been  connected,  as  an 
officer,  with  the  British  service.  He  left  two  sons,  one  of  wliom  set- 
tled on  Long  Island  and  the  other  at  Rosendale,  about  eight  miles 


186  HISTORICAL  NOTES. 

southwest  of  tlie  village  of  Kingston,  In  connection  with  Robert 
Livingston  lie  purchased  a  patent  of  land,  comprehending  the  whole 
of  the  present  county  of  Sullivan,  and  all  that  part  of  Delaware 
which  lies  east  of  the  west  or  Mohawk  branch  of  the  Delaware  River, 
and  is  yet  known  in  the  history  of  New-York  as  "  the  Plardenbergh 
patent."  His  grandson,  Colonel  Johannes  Hardenbergh,  the  fother 
of  J.  R.  Hardenbergh,  inherited  a  large  share  in  this  immense  estate, 
and  resided  in  the  original  manorial  mansion,  where  the  subject  of 
the  present  notice  was  born. 

His  early  education,  and  especially  his  knowledge  of  the  classics, 
was  probably  obtained  at  the  academy  of  Kingston.  How  long  he 
remained  in  this  seminary,  or  to  what  extent  he  pursued  the  study 
of  the  Latin  and  Greek  languages,  is  not  known.  It  is  presumed, 
liowever,  that  it  did  not  embrace  a  very  thorough  coui-se,  as  every 
historical  notice  of  his  education  agrees  in  asserting  that  he  had  not 
enjoyed  the  same  advantages  of  learning  as  most  of  his  contempo- 
raries in  the  ministry  of  the  Dutch  Church.  Indeed,  the  want  of 
sufficient  early  learning  is  one  of  the  most  prominent  facts  in  his 
history,  as  it  has  been  transmitted  to  posterity  in  those  brief  notices 
of  his  life  which  remain. 

Nor  are  we  able  to  give  any  account  of  the  circumstances  or  the 
time  of  his  convei'sion.  His  father  belonged  to  the  Coetus  or  evan- 
gelical party  in  the  church,  which  indicates  that  he  enjoyed  the  ad- 
vantages of  early  religious  instruction  and  a  pious  example  at  home. 
That  there  was  nothing  remarkable  in  it  may  be  inferred  from  the 
fact  that  no  tradition  of  it  exists  among  his  posterity. 

In  1^54,  when  John  Frelinghuysen  died  so  suddenly  at  Raritan,  in 
the  very  springtide  of  his  influence  and  usefulness,  Ave  find  young 
Hardenbergh  (together  with  Rynear  Van  Nest  and  Matthew  Leydt) 
a  student  of  theology,  residing  in  the  family.  He  seems  to  have 
remained  there  at  least  several  months  after  this  time,  if  the  anecdote 
referring  to  the  marriage  Avith  the  Avidow  be  correct.  This  marriage 
took  place  Avithin  a  year  of  the  death  of  her  husband,  under  circum- 
stances somewhat  peculiar. 

Mrs.  Fi'elinghuysen  (Dinah  Van  Bergh)  Avas  a  native  of  Amster- 
dam, in  Holland,  and  Avas  married  to  John  Frelinghuysen,  it  is  said, 
in  opposition  to  the  Avish  of  her  father,  and  she  accompanied  her  hus- 
band on  his  return  to  his  native  country,  after  completing  his  theo- 
logical course,  and  receiving  license  from  the  classis  of  Amsterdam. 
His  father,  the  Rev.  T.  J.  Frelinghuysen,  had  died  during  his  ab- 
sence, and  he  returned,  by  invitation,  to  take  charge  of  the  congrega- 


HISTORICAL   NOTES.  187 

tlons  which  liad  thus  become  vacant.  Iler  early  bereavement,  after 
living  with  lier  husband — for  whom  slie  had  left  all — only  about 
three  years,  far  from  her  friends,  and  in  a  strange  land,  made  her 
situation  trying  in  the  extreme.  After  a  few  months,  she  determined 
to  return,  like  Naomi,  to  her  native  laud,  and  claim  again  the  slieltcr 
and  protection  of  the  paternal  roof  for  herself  and  her  two  children. 
Tiie  preparations  were  all  made,  and  the  day  appointed  to  leave 
Karitau  for  the  purpose  of  embarking  at  New-York,  Avheu  young 
Ilardenbergh  surprised  her  by  an  oiFer  of  marriage.  He  had  con- 
templated it  for  some  time,  and  had  consulted  with  some  of  the  offi- 
cers of  the  church  in  regard  to  its  propriety ;  but,  on  account  of  the 
yet  so. recent  death  of  lier  husband,  only  brought  himself  to  the  point 
of  making  an  avowal  of  his  feelings  when  it  could  be  no  longer  post- 
poned. She  is  said  to  have  received  it  with  an  exclamation  of  sur- 
prise :  "  My  child,  Avhat  are  you  thinking  about  ?"'  The  result,  how- 
ever, was  that  the  arrangements  to  remove  were  countermanded, 
and  the  voyage  to  Holland  abandoned.  They  were  married  soon 
after,  and  slie  went  to  reside  Avith  his  father  at  Rosendale,  until  he 
had  finished  his  theological  course  and  received  license  to  preach  the 
Gospel. 

He  was  ordained  by  the  Coetus  in  1757,  and  was  the  first  minister 
in  the  Dutch  Church  in  America  who  had  not  been  obliged  to  go  to 
Holland  for  the  purpose  of  study,  examination,  and  licensure.  His 
ministry  at  Raritan  commenced  on  the  1st  of  May,  1758,  where  he 
occupied  the  ample  mansion  which  John  Frelinghuysen  had  just 
finished  at  the  time  of  his  decease,  and  w^hich  he  intended  for  a  theo- 
logical institution.  Thus  a  few  years  brought  the  widow  back  again 
to  the  scene  of  her  first  domestic  enjoyments  and  trials,  and  placed 
her  in  the  circle  of  her  first  and  best  friends.  In  August  of  the 
same  year  he  Avas  regularly  installed  as  the  pastor  of  the  five  united 
congregations  of  Raritan,  North-Branch,  Bedminster,  Millstone,  and 
New-Shannack.  Here  he  labored  diligently  and  acceptably  in  this 
immense  field  until  October,  17G1,  Avhen  Millstone  and  New-Shan- 
nack separated,  and  called  the  Rev.  John  jNL  Van  Harlingen  as  their 
l)astor,  and  Hardenbergh  continued  to  preach  to  the  other  three. 

In  the  mean  time,  during  the  years  1762  and  1763,  or  part  of  each, 
he  had  made  a  voyage  to  Holland  for  the  purpose  of  bringing  over 
the  mother  of  his  Avife,  who,  having  become  a  widow,  preferred  to 
migrate  to  America,  that  she  might  enjoy  the  society  of  her  daugh- 
ter, rather  than  remain  in  her  loneliness  in  her  native  land.  Tdat 
he  should  do  so,  is  said  to  have  been  one  of  the  stipulations  of  tlie 


188  HISTOEICAL   NOTES. 

marriage  contract.  He  was  tlie  first  American  minister  who  ap- 
peared in  Holland  after  the  flames  of  the  celebrated  contest  of  Coe- 
tus  and  Conferentie  had  been  enkindled.  He  returned  in  safety, 
having  accomplished  the  design  of  his  voyage,  and  gave  the  shelter 
of  his  home  ever  after  to  his  mother-in-law,  who  finally  died  at  his 
house  at  Raritan,  where  her  remains  repose. 

Soon  the  memorable  contest  for  independence  commenced,  and 
during  two  winters  the  army  of  Washington  was  encamped  within 
the  bounds  of  his  pastoral  charge.  On  the  26th  of  October,  1779,  a 
company  of  the  Queen's  Rangers,  under  the  command  of  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  Siracoe,  made  an  incursion  into  Somerset  County  for  the  pur- 
pose of  burning  some  boats  which  had  been  transported  from  the 
Delaware,  and  were  lying  in  the  Avater  of  the  Raritan,  near  Van 
Vechten's  bridge,  a  few  yards  above  the  church ;  and,  not  satisfied 
with  accomplishing  successfully  their  object,  also  set  fire  to  and 
burned  the  church  edifice  to  the  ground.  In  the  account  which 
Colonel  Simcoe  has  given  of  this  outrage  he  excuses  the  act,  by  say- 
ing that  the  church  had  been  made  a  depot  of  forage,  and  that  a 
rifle-shot  was  fired  at  the  soldiers  from  the  opposite  side  of  the  river. 
The  forage  consisted  of  some  roj^es  and  tackle — used  in  bringing  the 
boats  from  the  Delaware — left  outside  of  the  church,  and  the  shot 
was  from  a  young  man  who  had  been  out  shooting  pigeons,  and  when 
he  saw  the  dragoons  engaged  in  setting  fire  to  the  boats,  from  a  dis- 
tance of  some  two  hundred  yards,  discharged  his  shot-gun  to  alarm 
them,  and  then  ran  off"  to  escape  pursuit.  These  facts  we  have  learned 
from  an  eye-witness,  and  they  admit  of  no  question.  They  leave 
the  barbarity  of  the  action  without  excuse,  to  call  down  upon  it  the 
indignation  of  all  right-thinking  men.  From  Raritan  the  Rangers 
proceeded  to  Millstone,  where  they  also  burnt  the  court-house  of 
Somerset  County  ;  but  in  the  neighborhood  of  New-Brunswick  they 
Avere  met  by  some  militia,  hastily  drawn  from  that  city,  Avho  shot 
the  horse  of  Colonel  Simcoe,  and  made  the  colonel  himself  a  prisoner, 
his  men  escaping,  by  the  fleetness  of  their  horses,  to  South  River, 
Avhere  an  ambuscade  had  been  prepai-ed  to  protect  them  by  a  column 
of  the  British  army  under  General  Armstrong.  This  expedition  is 
spoken  of  by  military  men  as  one  of  the  handsomest  exploits  of  the 
Avar.  It  Avas  so,  indeed  ;  pity  that  it  should  have  been  stained  by 
such  a  wanton  act  of  barbarity  as  the  burning  of  a  house  dedicated 
to  the  Avorship  of  almighty  God,  when,  according  to  all  the  testi- 
mony of  all  the  parties,  there  Avas  not  a  human  being  near  it  Avhom, 
as  an  enemy,  it  could  have  sheltered,  and  so  provoked  an  attack. 


HISTORICAL   NOTES.  189 

The  effect  was  most  disastrous  to  the  cause  of  religion  in  this  com- 
munity, for,  amid  the  pressure  of  tlie  war,  and  the  general  derange- 
ments of  all  civil  affairs,  it  was  several  years  before  the  people  Avere 
in  a  condition  to  provide  themselves  with  another  liouse  of  worship. 
Indeed,  it  was  not  effected  until  after  Mr.  llardenbergh  had  closed 
his  labors  at  Raritan. 

The  ministry  of  Mr.  llardenbergh  at  Raritan,  embracing  a  period 
of  twenty-five  years,  furnished  abundant  and  incontestable  evidence 
of  his  energy,  his  evangelical  spirit,  his  uncompromising  oj^position 
to  every  form  of  evil,  and  his  ardent  love  for  the  souls  of  men  and 
the  glory  of  God.  The  church,  however,  although  it  gradually  in- 
creased in  numbers  and  strength,  does  not  appear  at  any  time  to 
have  enjoyed  any  special  outpouring  of  the  Holy  Spirit.  IIow  could 
it  ?  Such  a  state  of  things  was  not  to  be  expected.  The  ministry  of 
Mr.  Hardenbergh  embraced  the  period  of  the  Revolution — more  nn- 
favorable  to  spiritual  religion  than  any  other  period  since  the  first 
settlements  of  the  country.  This  great  convulsion  in  the  political 
world  shook  the  very  foundations  of  society  to  their  centre,  gave  a 
loose  rein  to  every  immoral  influence,  and  brought  in  a  flood  of 
"wickedness,  impiety,  and  intemperance  into  the  laud.  The  records 
of  the  church  show  in  many  places  how  impetnously  it  rolled  on,  and 
how  nobly  the  godly  man  struggled  against  it.  More  than  one 
solemn  protest  is  recorded  there  against  the  increasing  dissoluteness 
of  manners  resulting  from  the  war.  It  was  strange  enough,  circum- 
stanced as  he  Avas,  in  the  very  scene  of  action,  armies  marching  fre- 
quently, and  sometimes  encamping  for  months  in  the  very  heart  of 
his  charge,  that  he  was  not  entirely  displaced  and  driven  away — as 
so  many  of  his  brethren  were  in  other  places  even  less  exposed — and 
that  in  such  a  state  of  things  he  should  be  able,  by  his  prudence,  to 
escape  unscathed  amid  the  fire,  lie  was  a  devoted  friend  to  the 
jjopular  cause,  and  took  no  pains  to  conceal  his  opinions.  Says  one 
of  his  descendants:  "  I  have  heard  my  grandmother  say,  that  during 
that  dark  period,  when  the  American  army  had  retreated  before 
their  enemies,  and  lay  encamped  in  the  county  of  Somerset,  General 
Washington  was  a  frequent  visitor  at  their  house,  and,  when  in  the 
neighborliood,  made  it  his  headquarters;  that  the  old  gentleman  was 
an  ardent  patriot,  who  took  occasion  frequently  to  stir  up  the  people 
from  the  pulpit;  that  the  British  general  offered  a  reward  of  one  hun- 
dred pounds  for  his  apprehension  ;  that  he  always  slept  witli  a  loaded 
musket  in  his  room,  and  Avas  often  obliged  to  leave  his  home  with 
arras  in  his  hands,  and  roam  about  the  country,  to  prevent  being 


190  HISTORICAL  NOTES. 

seized  by  tlie  Tones.  The  old  lady  has  told  me  that,  out  of  six  or 
seven  individuals  who  undertook  his  arrest,  and  offered  to  produce 
him  to  the  British  general,  every  one  had  died  within  a  few  weeks 
of  each  other — several  of  them  by  tlie  small-pox. 

But,  besides  all  this,  there  was  also  a  revolution  in  the  church  in 
progress  at  the  same  time,  the  effect  of  which  must  have  been,  to  some 
extent,  detrimental  to  the  growth  of  practical  piety.  This  contest  is 
known,  in  the  history  of  the  Reformed  Dutch  Church,  as  the  dispute 
between  the  Coetus  and  Conferentie,  and  its  bitter  fruits  continued 
until  near  the  close  of  the  ministry  of  Mr.  Hardenbergh.  In  such  a 
state  of  things  revivals  of  religion  were  out  of  the  question,  and  it  is 
sufficient  praise  for  Mr.  Hardenbergh  to  be  able  to  record  his  stead- 
fast, unwearied,  and  onward  course,  increasing  daily  in  the  affections 
of  the  people  and  in  his  power  to  do  them  good.  Could  any  thing 
more  have  been  reasonably  anticipated  ? 

In  1770,  application  was  made  to  the  governor  of  New-Jersey  for 
a  charter  of  incorporation  for  a  college  and  theological  institution,  to 
be  known  as  Queen's  College.  In  effecting  this  object,  Dr.  Harden- 
bergh (for  he  had  now  just  received  the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Divinity 
from  Princeton  College)  was  chiefly  instrumental.  He  was,  at  that 
time,  one  of  the  most  prominent  and  influential  individuals  named  in 
the  grant  and  petition.  To  the  presidency  of  this  institution  he  was 
imanimously  elected  by  the  trustees  in  l7S6.  During  the  interven- 
ing period,  from  the  time  of  the  granting  of  the  charter,  a  professor 
and  tutor  had  been  employed  to  teach  the  students  that  might  at- 
tend. But,  for  part  of  the  time,  New-Brunswick  was  occupied  by 
the  British  army,  and  I  have  seen  an  advertisement  giving  notice 
that  the  exercises  of  the  college  would  be  continued  at  a  private 
house  at  the  head  of  liaritan,  during  one  of  these  years. 

In  1781,  Dr.  Hardenbergh  resigned  his  pastoral  charge  at  Raritan, 
and  removed  to  Rosendale,  and,  while  there,  continued  to  serve  the 
church — known  at  present  as  Rochester — until,  in  consequence  of 
being  chosen  to  the  presidency  of  Queen's  College,  he  removed  to 
New-Brunswick.  The  fact  of  his  election  to  such  a  responsible 
place  is  sufficient  evidence  of  the  estimation  in  which  he  was  held  in 
the  church,  when  it  is  recollected  that  there  were  such  men  as  Laid- 
lee,  Westerlo,  Meyer,  and  Romeyn  to  compete  with.  Considering 
the  deficiency  in  his  early  training,  (to  which  reference  has  been 
made,)  it  must  have  required  no  small  share  of  industry,  perseve- 
rance, and  mental  power  to  win  such  a  reputation  and  fit  himself 
for  such  a  place,  all  the  duties  of  which  he  pei'formed,  with  perhaps 


HISTORICAL   NOTES.  191 

a  single  assistant;  so  that  lie  was,  in  fact,  a  teacher  of  the  whole  cir- 
cle of  the  sciences  and  liberal  arts  !  During  the  time  of  his  presi- 
dency he  also  served  the  church  at  New-Brunswick  as  pastor.  The 
labor  of  filling  the  two  places  must  have  been  immense,  aud  it  is 
said  to  have  been  connected  with  the  loss  of  his  health  and  his 
speedy  dissolution,  lie  Avas  spared  only  four  years  to  devote  him- 
self to  the  interests  of  learning  in  an  institution  Avhich  he  had,  as  it 
were,  created  by  his  personal  influence  and  exertions. 

But  any  notice  of  Dr.  Ilardenbergh  which  should  attempt  to  ac- 
count for  his  usefulness  and  his  success  Avould  be  incomplete,  if  it 
failed  to  recognize  the  fact  that  a  large  share  of  it  was  attributable 
to  the  influence  of  his  wife,  Dinah  Van  Bergh.  She  was  the  daugh- 
ter of  Louis  Van  Bergh,  a  merchant  of  Amsterdam,  who  had  accu- 
mulated a  large  fortune  in  the  East-India  trade.  She  was  born  (says 
one  of  her  descendants)  in  a  house  on  the  Prince  Graaft — an  engraving 
of  which  she  brought  with  her  and  often  showed — on  the  10th  of 
February,  1725.  Her  father  Avas  a  man  of  fashion  and  of  pleasure, 
devoting  much  of  his  time  to  the  amusements  of  the  day,  and  with- 
out any  special  regard  to  religion.  lie  had  but  two  children,  both 
daughters,  one  of  whom  died  in  early  life.  The  survivor  he  intended 
to  educate  and  introduce  into  all  the  gayeties  and  fashion  of  the 
luxurious  metropolis,  and  her  education  certainly  was  superior. 
Her  mind  was  stored  with  all  the  solid  parts  of  learning,  and  her 
taste  cultivated  in  an  eminent  degree.  But  Providence  designed  her 
to  move  in  a  different  sphere,  and  thwarted  all  his  schemes.  Her 
religious  impressions  commenced  as  early  as  her  fourteenth  year, 
and  soon  created,  on  her  part,  a  strong  disrelish  for  all  amusements 
and  fashionable  frivolity.  On  one  occasion,  she  refused  to  attend  the 
dancing-school  to  Avhlch  her  father  wished  her  to  go.  This  so  en- 
raged him  that  he  immediately  ordered  the  carriage  to  be  got  up, 
and  took  her  there  himself.  She,  however,  persisted  in  refusing  to 
dance,  aud  as  soon  as  he  left  hid  herself  behind  the  seats.  This  is 
su])posed  to  have  occurred  when  she  was  only  fourteen  years  of  age. 
In  her  diary,  however,  she  assigns  the  beginning  of  the  year  1747, 
when  she  was  in  her  twenty-first  year,  as  the  time  Avhen  she  decid- 
edly and  forever  gave  herself  unto  the  Lord,  to  his  service,  and  to 
his  people,  to  be  his,  and  to  live  for  him  alone.  It  was  in  the  middle 
of  the  night — after  twelve  o'clock — when  she  had  been  engaged  in 
prayer,  that  she  felt  her  heart  drawn  out  to  Christ.  The  promises 
came  home  with  power,  and  she  took  him  to  be  her  Saviour  and  Re- 
deemer, and  relied  alone  upon  the  merits  of  his  blood  to  pardon  all 


192  HISTORICAL  NOTES. 

her  sins  and  bring  lier  to  God.  *'  Oh,  how  sweet,"  says  she,  "  was  the 
happiness  Avhich  my  soul  then  first  knew,  and  how  I  longed  to  liave 
all  that  which  Avas  old  in  me  taken  away,  and  to  have  more  and 
more  of  that  which  was  new  wrought  in  me  by  the  Holy  Ghost ; 
and  how  I  rejoiced  in  the  fullness  of  the  provisions  of  his  gracious 
covenant !" 

The  manuscript  journal  from  which  I  have  quoted,  and  which 
now  lies  before  me,  consisting  of  sixty  folio  pages  written  in  a  small, 
lady-like,  and  beautiful  hand,  furnishes  abundant  evidence  of  her 
deep  spiritual-mindedness  and  piety,  as  well  as  of  her  literary  taste 
and  culture.  It  abounds  with  passages  breathing  the"  most  ardent 
Christian  love,  the  deepest  sense  of  dependence,  tlie  strongest  faith 
in  Jesus  Christ  as  the  only  and  all-sufficient  Saviour,  and  the  most 
earnest  supplications  for  grace  and  strength. 

She  adverts  to  the  enjoyment  which  she  found  in  a  little  praying 
circle  of  young  females  of  her  own  age,  and  records  many  of  the  sub- 
jects which  they  were  accustomed  to  make  a  matter  of  special  inter- 
cession— the  church,  the  interests  of  religion  in  her  native  land  and  in 
the  world,  their  country  in  war  with  France,  Scotland,  the  English 
Church  in  Amsterdam,  the  Stadtholder  and  Prince  of  Orange,  the 
Princess  in  her  hour  of  peril.  She  records  many  special  answers  to 
prayer,  which  she  received,  one  of  which  I  will  relate  in  an  abbreviat- 
ed form.  She  was  in  the  constant  habit  of  making  every  thing  which 
concerned  her  a  matter  of  intercourse  with  the  Throne  of  Grace — 
even  her  visits  among  her  friends.  On  one  occasion,  she  received  an 
invitation  to  spend  some  time  with  a  Christian  friend,  in  the  city  of 
Rotterdam.  She  felt  at  first  indisposed  to  accept,  but  afterward 
thought  that,  in  answer  to  prayer,  she  had  received  an  invitation  that 
would  result  in  good.  She  Avent,  but  was  soon  j^rostrated  with  a  se- 
vere illness,  Avhich  brought  her  very  low,  and  continued  for  several 
months.  Her  physician,  whom  she  represents  as  an  unbeliever  in  the 
doctrine  of  a  special  providence,  told  her  at  last  that  her  case  Avas 
hopeless,  and  intimated  that  she  ought  to  abandon  the  idea  of  life,  or 
of  returning  again  to  her  friends,  and  jDrepare  for  death.  But  at  nightj 
Avhen  alone,  she  lifted  up  her  heart  to  God,  and  thought  she  had  an 
intimation  that  on  a  certain  day — the  16th  of  September — she  Avould 
leave  her  bed  and  become  convalescent.  She  mentioned  it  to  hsr  in- 
timate friend,  and  confidently  trusted  in  God  to  bring  it  to  pass.  The 
day  came,  and  although  previous  to  that  morning  she  had  been  so 
Aveak  as  to  be  unable  to  help  herself  from  her  bed  to  the  sick-chair, 
yet  she  arose,  and  Avith  a  little  assistance  Avalked  several  times  across 


HISTORICAL   NOTES.  193 

tlie  room,  and  was  soon  able  to  retuvn  to  licr  father's  house.  The 
circumstance  Avas  so  striking,  that  it  became  the  means  of  awaken- 
ing and  converting  the  unbelieving  physician,  for  he  felt  that  the 
hand  of  God  must  have  been  in  it. 

One  of  the  most  remarkable  features  of  her  diary  is  the  pleasure 
Avliich  she  habitually  expresses  in  the  public  worship  of  God.  Several 
individuals  whose  preaching  she  heard  are  named,  but  she  styles 
Dominie  Temmink  her  dear  and  heart-loved  father  in  the  Gospel.  She 
seems  to  have  been  jieculiarly  sensitive  to  the  influence  of  the  reli- 
gious affections — a  very  woman  Avith  a  heart  gushing  with  feeling  and 
sensibility — a  poetess  in  fact,  not  only  in  sentiment,  but  in  practice. 
Many  of  her  poetic  effusions  were  in  existence  among  her  descendants 
long  after  her  decease.  A  manuscript  is  spoken  of  as  containing 
poems  which  she  composed  after  each  of  the  visits  which  she  received 
from  Mr.  Frelinghuysen,  before  her  marriage  to  him,  with  many 
others,  breathing  out  her  religious  affections,  and  commemorating  the 
various  dealings  of  God  with  her  soul.  But  the  crowning  virtue  of 
her  character  was  the  deeply  spiritual  nature  of  her  piety.  Slie  drank 
copiously  at  the  fountain  of  love,  and  delighted  to  bask  in  the  sun- 
shine of  the  divine  favor!  To  the  close  of  her  life,  she  Avas  eminently 
devotional,  and  habitually  made  the  most  ordinary  occurrences  of  life 
an  occasion  of  2)ious  discourse.  In  the  fields,  every  tree  and  shrub 
and  flower  aftbrded  an  emblem  of  some  gospel  truth.  In  the  spring, 
the  first  floAvers  Avere  affectionately  sent  to  her  by  her  intimate 
friends,  and  in  the  summer  she  seldom  sat  down  Avith  her  needle, 
Avithout  having  first  gathered  and  placed  before  her  a  vase  of  floAV- 
ers  ;  and  then  she  Avould  gaze  upon  them,  drink  in  their  fragrance, 
spiritualize  their  beauties,  and  seem  to  be  filled  Avith  an  endless  and 
boundless  admiration  of  their  forms,  their  tints,  and  their  aroma. 

With  such  endowments  of  mind,  and  such  rich  experiences  of  the 
influence  of  the  Gospel,  it  is  not  strange  that  she  should  have  been 
regarded  by  the  pious  as  a  safe  counselor  in  their  various  trials,  and 
that  she  should  have  been  resorted  to  by  so  many  for  direction  and 
advice.  It  is  said  that  Dr.  Condit,  during  the  time  that  she  resided 
in  New-Brunswick,  after  the  death  of  Dr.  Ilardenbergh,  seldom  en- 
tered his  ])ulpit  on  a  Sabbath  morning  Avitliout  pausing  for  a  mo- 
ment at  the  pew  of  this  excellent  Avoman,  to  listen  to  a  remark  of  en- 
couragement or  comfort,  Avhich  she  Avas  sure  to  have  in  store  for 
him  !  She  Avas,  indeed,  a  Avoman  eminent  in  her  knoAvledge  of  experi- 
mental godliness,  and  Avi.^e  in  si»iiitual  things.  Like  Mary,  slie  de- 
lighted to  sit  at  the  feet  ol"  Jesus.     Like  Hannah,  she  devoted  allthat 


194  HISTORICAL   NOTES. 

she  had  to  the  Lord.  Like  Harriet  Newell,  she  forsook  her  home, 
her  native  Land,  the  refinements  of  polished  society,  the  pleasure  of 
literary  culture,  the  fellowship  of  her  church  and  her  Christian  com- 
panions, and  the  instruction  and  care  of  her  heart-loved,  spiritual 
father,  and  went  forth  as  a  missionary,  the  wife  of  a  missionary,  into 
a  distant,  uncultivated,  almost  inicivilized  land,  never  again  to  see 
the  faces  of  those  she  loved,  or  to  feast  her  eyes  with  the  beauty  of 
those  pleasant  faces  upon  which  her  heart  dwelt  with  unmingled  rap- 
ture, or  to  commune  with  familiar  friends,  or  repose  under  the  shelter 
of  parental  love.  Noble  woman !  Noble  resolution,  that  could  at- 
tempt so  much  !  Noble  piety,  that  could  make  such  sacrifices  for  the 
love  of  souls  !  Nor  did  she,  when  they  were  made,  repine  in  secret 
at  the  experience  of  the  painful  reality.  Her  courage  never  forsook 
her,  her  confidence  in  God  never  failed ;  nor  did  she,  in  her  exile,  ever 
*'  cast  one  longing,  lingering  look  behind.  "  She  lived  for  the  cause 
which  she  had  chosen,  and  died  in  the  land  of  her  adoption. 

Now,  have  I  not  justified  the  opinion  already  expressed,  that  Dr. 
Hardenbergh  owed  much  of  his  success  as  a  minister,  and  of  the  emi- 
nence and  usefulness  to  which  he  attained,  to  his  wife.  With  such  a 
companion  to  counsel  and  stimulate  him  to  activity,  it  was  hardly 
possible  that  he  should  be  only  an  ordinary  man. 

In  person.  Dr.  Hardenbergh  was  slender,  but  his  appearance  Avas 
grave  and  dignified.  His  habit  Avas  consumptive,  and  he  finally  fell 
a  victim  to  a  pulmonary  afiection.  Says  one  of  his  contemporaries ; 
'  His  mind  was  not  only  strong,  but  distinguished  by  the  power  of 
nice  discrimination.  He  was  thoroughly  read  in  theology,  and  pos- 
sessed, besides,  a  large  stock  of  general  learning  for  the  times  ;  and,  to 
crown  the  whole,  he  was  distinguished  for  his  jiiety.  Wherever  he 
went  a  blessing  attended  his  labors.  As  might  be  expected  from 
such  endowments,  he  maintained  a  high  standing  in  the  ministry. 
Large  confidence  was  reposed  in  him,  and  his  influence  in  the  church 
seemed  scarcely  to  have  a  limit."  The  following  tribute  to  Dr.  Har- 
denbergh is  from  an  address  delivered  by  Dr.  Livingston  at  the  com- 
mencement of  Queen's  College,  in  September,  1810:  "At  the  close  of 
the  Revolutionary  War,  the  trustees  made  some  efiforts  to  revive  it, 
(Queen's  College,)  and  called  the  Rev.  Dr.  Hardenbergh  to  be  the 
president.  That  great  and  good  man,  in  his  zeal  for  religion  and 
attachment  to  the  Dutch  Church,  accepted  the  invitation.  He  devot- 
ed his  distinguished  talents  and  precious  life  to  the  arduous  task  of 
bringing  the  institution,  still  destitute  of  patronage,  into  the  public 
notice  and  successful  operation.     But  the  task  was  too  severe.     Un- 


HISTORICAL   NOTES.  195 

der  the  additional  weight  of  parochial  duties,  which  at  the  same 
time  he  sustained  to  this  church,  (New-Brunswick,)  he  gradually 
wasted  his  strength,  and  sank  under  a  burden  too  heavy  for  one 
man,  however  fortified  with  genius  or  industry,  to  sustain." 

On  his  tomb,  in  the  city  of  New-Brunswick,  the  following  inscrip- 
tion has  been  placed :  "  Here  lies  the  body  of  J.  R.  Hardenbergh, 
D.D.,  late  Pastor  of  this  Church,  who  departed  this  life  the  30th  day 
of  October,  1*790,  aged  52  years  —  months  —  days.  He  was  a  zealous 
Preacher  of  the  Gospel,  and  his  life  and  conversation  afforded,  from 
his  earliest  days,  to  all  who  knew  him,  a  bright  example  of  piety.  He 
was  a  steadfast  Patriot,  and  in  his  public  and  private  conduct  he 
manifested  himself  to  be  the  enemy  of  tyranny  and  oppression,  the 
lover  of  freedom,  and  the  friend  of  his  country.  He  has  gone  to  his 
Lord  and  Redeemer,  in  whose  atonement  he  confidently  trusted.  He 
is  gone  to  receive  the  fruits  of  his  labors  and  the  reward  of  a  well- 
spent  life.  Reader,  while  you  lament  the  loss  of  society  and  his 
friends,  go  walk  in  his  virtuous  footsteps,  and  Avhen  you  have  finished 
the  work  assigned  you,  you  shall  rest  with  him  in  eternal  peace," 

After  the  decease  of  her  husband,  Mrs.  Hardenbergh  made  the 
house  of  her  youngest  son  her  home,  and  her  widowhood  was  pro- 
tracted for  seventeen  years.  A  part  of  this  time  she  spent  at  Rarltan, 
amid  the  scenes  of  her  early  life,  and  the  people  who  first  Avelcomed 
her  when  she  came  as  a  stranger  in  a  strange  land,  and  Avho  always 
cherished  a  deep  respect  for  her  character,  and  her  many  excellent 
qualities  !  Finally,  however,  she  returned  again  to  the  city  of  Xew- 
Brunswlck,  and  died  in  1807,  and  her  remains  repose  amid  the  honor- 
ed dust  in  the  crowded  cemetery  of  the  Reformed  Dutch  Church. 
The  monument  dedicated  to  her  memory  contains  the  following  in- 
scription :  "  This  monument  is  erected  to  the  memory  of  Dinah  Har- 
denbergh, relict  of  the  Rev.  J.  R.  Hardenbergh,  D.D.,  S.T.P.  Of  high 
attainments  here  in  grace,  now  resting  in  glory.  Died  the  2Gth  day  of 
March,  1807,  aged  81  years. 

"  Tell  liow  she  climbed  tlio  everlasting  hills. 
Surveying  all  the  realnia  above  ; 
Borne  on  a  strong-winged  faith,  and  on 
The  fiery  wheels  of  an  immortal  love." 

The  church  of  Raritan  was  vacant  after  the  resignation  of  Dr.  Har- 
denbergh, In  1781,  for  the  space  of  two  and  a  half  years,  until  the  Rev, 
Theodore  Frelinglniysen  Romeyn,  the  only  child  of  Rev.  Thomas 
Romeyn  and  Margaretta  Frelinghuysen,  was  called  and  took  charge 
of  it  in  1784.     He  was  born  on  Long  Island,  in  1760,  studied   under 


196  HISTORICAL   NOTES. 

Dr.  Livingston,  and  was  licensed  by  a  convention  of  ministers  and 
elders  in  1783.  He  was  a  young  man  of  talents,  amiability,  and  great 
promise — a  warm-hearted,  earnest  preacher,  and  the  impression  which 
he  made  upon  the  people  of  his  cliarge  remained  long  after  his  death. 
We  have  a  perfect  recollection  o£  more  than  one  among  the  aged  who 
professed  to  have  imbibed  their  first  serious  impressions  from  his  ser- 
mons; but  his  labors  were  brief,  being  included  in  a  space  of  only 
ten  months.  He  died  of  fever,  in  August,  1785,  and  his  remains  were 
deposited  in  the  graveyard  around  the  old  church,  on  the  banks  of 
the  Raritan.  But,  iu  1826,  they  were  disinterred,  together  with  those 
of  Jolin  Frelinghuysen,  and  deposited  in  the  same  tomb  in  wliich 
John  S.  Vredenburgh  had  been  buried.  The  monument  is  in  good 
preservation,  and  is  known  as  "The  Ministers'  Tomb."  The  inscrip- 
tion is  in  the  following  words  :  "  This  monument,  erected  by  tlie  Ra- 
ritan  congregation,  to  the  memory  of  their  three  deceased  pastors, 
Avhose  remains  are  here  deposited."  It  then  recites  the  inscription 
given  of  Jolin  FreliDghuysen,  and  then  proceeds,  "  The  Rev.  Theo- 
dorus  Frelinghuysen  llomeyn  departed  this  life  in  August,  1785,  aged 
25  years.  A  short  but  fixitliful  ministry;  mysterious  providence,  that 
one  so  useful,  so  filled  with  love  to  God  and  man,  should  be  so  early 
taken  !  It  is  the  Lord."  With  him,  the  last  descendant  of  Theodo- 
rus  J.  Frelinghuysen,  who  devoted  himself  to  the  work  of  preaching 
the  Gospel,  was  no  more.  The  piety  of  their  great  ancestor  seems  to 
continue,  but  there  is  no  one  to  take  up  the  work  since  Romeyn  laid 
it  down. 

Almost  immediately  after  the  death  of  Rev.  T.  F.  Romeyn,  tlie 
churches  of  Raritan  and  Bedminster  called  the  Rev.  John  Duryea  to 
be  their  pastor.  He  was  born  on  Long  Island,  in  1760,  and  received 
his  academical  education  at  Hackensack,  under  Dr.  Peter  Wilson.  He 
studied  theology  under  Dr.  Livingston,  and  was  licensed  by  the 
General  Synod,  at  an  extra  session,  on  May  18th,  1784,  in  New-York, 
and  accepted  the  call  from  Rai'itan,  wliich  had  been  given  him,  as  the 
7ninutes  state,  October  14th,  1785.  The  first  minute  of  consistory  after 
his  settlement  is  dated  March  3d,  1786,  and  he  continued  to  serve 
the  church  until  1799,  when  he  resigned  his  charge. 

We  have  in  our  possession  the  original  subscription  whicli  was  cir- 
culated by  consistory  to  raise  a  salary  for  him,  and  we  copy  it  as  a 
remnant  of  former  times,  certainly  not  unsuggestivo  :  "  We,  the  sub- 
scribers, members  and  others  belonging  to  the  Ref  '  Dutch  Church'  of 
Raritan,  in  order  to  obtain  tlie  privilege  of  having  the  Gospel  preach- 
ed among  us,  do  promise  to  pay,  or  cause  to  be  j^aid,  unto  the  elders 


HISTOEICAL  NOTES.  '  197 

and  deacons  of  the  churcli,  or  tlieir  successors  in  office,  the  sum  an- 
nexed to  our  respective  names,  at  the  expiration  of  every  six  months, 
as  a  salary  for  the  Rev.  Johannes  Duryea,  in  case  he  shall  accept  the 
joint  call  of  this  congregation  and  the  congregation  of  Bedminster, 
and  by  Avhich  call  he  shall  be  bound  to  perform  two  thirds  of  his  ser- 
vice atRaritan,  and  one  third  at  Bedminster — and  one-half  of  his  ser- 
vice in  the  Dutch,  and  the  other  half  in  the  English  language — the 
salary  to  commence  on  his  accepting  the  call ;  as  witness  our  hands 
this  16th  day  of  October,  1785.  Signed,  Richard  Van  Veghten,  7s. 
6d. ;  Fred.  Ver  Muel,  5s. ;  Corn's  Ver  Muel,  5s. ;  Edes  Ver  Muel,  5s.  ; 
Andries  Cadmus,  os.  9d. ;  John  Sebring,  3s.  9d. ;  Jolm  Sebring,  Jr.,  5s. ; 
George  Sebring,  3s.  9d. ;  Michael  Field,  3s.  9cl. ;  Abraham  Sebring,  3s. 
9(1.;  Pebe  Freman,  3s. ;  Whitehead  Leonard,  3s.  9d. ;  Garret  Tunison, 
7s.  6d. ;  Henry  Blackwell,  Is.  lOd. ;  Archibald  Campbell,  Is. ;  Thomas 
Arrosmith,  3s.  9d. ;  George  Romer,  Is.  6d. ;  Ab'ra  Tunison,  Gs. ;  Mary 
Auten,ls.  lOd. ;  DanielWaldron,  Is.  lOd. ;  Peter  Harpending,  3s.  9d. ; 
Leonard  Smock,  3s.  lOd.;  Matthew  Harrison,  5s.;  Tobias  Van  Orden, 
Os. ;  Peter  Van  Norden,  Is.  lOd. ;  Michael  Van  Norden,  Is.  lOd. ;  John 
Hutchins,  Ss."  This  list  does  not  embrace  the  names  of  the  principal 
families,  or  the  wealthier  portion  of  the  congregation.  Their  sub- 
scriptions must  have  been  much  more  liberal  to  secure  the  object  and 
pay  the  stipend. 

Upon  the  settlement  of  Mr.  Duryea,  the  congregation  immediately 
ordered  the  repair  of  the  parsonage,  and  then  proceeded  to  provide 
a  house  in  which  they  might  worship.  On  the  15th  of  June,  1784,  at  a 
public  meeting,  it  was  resolved  that  we  immediately  proceed  to  build 
a  house  for  the  public  worship  of  Almighty  God.  On  the  15th  of 
August  following,  it  Avas  reported  that  £195  Os.  6d.,  was  subscribed  in 
order  to  have  the  church  built  at  Somerset  Court-House ;  £177  7s.  6d> 
to  have  it  at  Van  Veghten's  Bridge ;  and  £4  IBs.  6d.,  without  designat- 
ing any  place.  It  was,  therefore,  resolved  that  the  church  be  built 
at  Somerset  Court-IIouse ;  and  Isaac  Davis,  Andreas  Ten  Eyclc, 
Robert  Bolmer,  Jacobus  Winterstein,  Peter  Harpending,  and  Samuel 
Beekman  were  appointed  to  collect  the  subscriptions  taken,  and  pay 
them  into  the  hands  of  Peter  D.  Vroom,  the  treasurer.  Subsequently^ 
Andreas  Ten  Eyck  was  api)ointed  manager,  and  Rynier  Voglite, 
Ab'm  Van  Neste,  Peter  D.  Vroom,  John  Hardenbergli,  Robert  Bol- 
mer, and  Jacobus  Winterstein,  a  committee  to  superintend  and  assist. 
Tiie  building  erected  was  of  brick,  40  feet  by  GO,  with  a  small  cupola 
and  bell;  probably  the  most  commodious  and  cx])ensive  church  in  the- 
County  of  Soincrset  at  tliat  lime.  It  Avas  no  HiiIl;  praise  for  Mr. 
13 


198  HISTORICAL   NOTES. 

Din-yca,  that  he  had  been  able  to  succeed  in  accomplishing  such  an 
object  so  soon  after  his  settlement. 

His  miuistiy  at  Raritan  was  blessed  in  the  beginning  of  it  very- 
much.  The  church  increased  from  time  to  time  by  members  on 
confession  and  by  certificate.  But,  in  1799,  Mr.  Duryea  resigned  his 
charo-c.  Dissatisfiiction  had  grown  up.  He  was  never  a  student, 
and  was  accustomed  to  preach  Avithout  writing  his  sermons;  and  did 
not  satisfy  the  more  intelligent  portion  of  his  people.  But  he  was  a 
fyood  man — loved  to  preach,  and  did  preach,  even  in  his  old  age.  He 
had  his  work  in  providence,  and  did  it  like  a  godly  man. 

The  final  arrangements  with  Mr.  Duryea  were  effected  on  the  22d 
of  October,  1798.  The  consistory  agreed  to  pay  up  all  arrearages, 
and  allow  him  his  salary  until  the  4th  day  of  January,  with  the  use  of 
the  parsonage  until  May,  1799.  He  continued  to  serve  the  church  of 
Bedminster  for  another  year,  and  also  preached  occasionally  in  the 
vicinity  of  White  House  and  Potters  Town,  in  Hunterdon  County. 
Finally,  he  received  a  call  from  Fairfield,  in  Essex  County,  where  he 
resided  for  many  years,  until  he  died  finally  at  the  Notch,  not  far  from 
Little  Falls,  Essex  County,  in  1836.  His  remains  rest  in  the  cemetery 
attached  to  the  Presbyterian  Church  at  Caldwell,  Essex  County,  by 
the  side  of  his  daughter,  Mrs.  Crane.  He  married  late  in  life,  and 
left  a  widow  surviving  him.  He  had  been  without  a  pastoral  charge 
for  many  years,  had  given  all  his  property  to  his  children,  and  was 
himself  often  in  straitened  circumstances,  but  never  in  want.  The 
Lord  provided  for  him. 

From  May,  1799,  until  November,  the  church  of  Raritan  was  Avith- 
out  a  pastor.  On  the  11th  of  that  month,  however,  the  congregation 
met  and  resolved  to  offer  a  call  to  the  Rev.  John  S.  Vredenburgh. 
On  the  6th  of  February,  1800,  it  was  executed  and  signed.  This  call 
Mr.  Vredenburgh  accepted,  and  he  was  ordained  in  the  cliurch  of 
Raritan,  on  the  last  Sabbath  in  June;  and  he  continued  in  his  charge 
until  October  4th,  1821,  dying  suddenly  in  a  fit  of  epilepsy. 

John  Schureman  Vredenburgh,  son  of  Peter  Vredenburgh  and  Mar- 
caret  Schureman,  was  born  in  the  city  of  New-Brunswick,  on  the  20th 
March  1776.  He  obtained  his  early  education  in  his  native  city,  and 
graduated  in  Queens  (now  Rutgers)  College  in  the  class  of  1794.  He 
served  one  year  as  clerk  in  a  store.  During  this  year  his  views  and 
feelino-s  experienced  an  entire  change,  and  he  became,  as  he  ever  hope- 
fully believed,  a  true  Christian.  Almost  immediately  he  resolved  to 
devote  himself  to  the  work  of  preaching  the  Gospel,  and  soon  com- 
menced the  study  of  divinity  under  Dr.  Livingston.     On  the  comple- 


HISTORICAL   NOTES.  199 

lion  of  liis  course,  he  received  licensure  from  the  classis  of  New-Bruns- 
wick, at  their  spring  session  in  1800.  lie  soon  attracted  the  atten- 
tion of  the  cliurcli  at  Karitan,  and  after  preaching  for  them  received 
tlieir  call.  In  this  connection  he  was  happy  and  useful,  leaving  an 
impression  which  survives  in  some  freshness  even  until  to-day.  He  was 
a  truly  excellent  man,  devoted  to  his  work,  though  retired  and  unob- 
trusive. Every  year  witnessed  to  his  faithfulness  and  success,  by  those 
who,  under  his  persuasions',  renounced  the  world  and  made  confession 
of  their  failh.  lie  succeeded  ingathering  into  his  church  a  large  body 
of  excellent  and  eminent  men,  such  as  seldom  are  found  in  any  com- 
munity; and  the  impression  of  his  life  and  labors  was  extensive — in- 
deed, almost  all-pervading  in  the  whole  community. 

We  quote  from  a  notice  prepared  by  his  daughter,  Mrs.  Woodward, 
for  Dr.  Sprague:  "About  six  years  before  his  death,  lie  was  induced 
to  add  to  his  other  labors  the  superintendence  of  the  Somerville 
Academy ;  but  this  proved  too  great  a  tax  upon  his  constitution,  which 
was  naturally  not  very  strong ;  and  very  soon  he  Avas  overtaken  by 
that  fearful  disease — epilepsy.  Tiie  fits  occurred  at  intervals  of  from 
three  to  six  weeks,  till  within  a  year  of  his  death  ;  and  though  the  dis- 
ease produced  no  visible  eifect  upon  his  mind,  yet  it  had  so  far  reduced 
liis  bodily  strength  and  his  ability  to  labor,  that  he  felt  constrained 
to  resign  his  pastoral  charge.  So  strongly  were  his  congregation  at- 
tached to  him,  however,  and  so  highl}'-  did  they  prize  his  ministrations, 
that  they  declined  to  accept  his  resignation,  preferring  that  he  should 
remain  with  them,  and  perform  only  as  much  service  as  his  enfeebled 
health  would  permit.  During  the  last  year  of  his  life,  the  malady  from 
which  he  had  been  suffering  was  suspended,  and,  he  had  hoped,  en- 
tirely broken ;  in  consequence  of  which,  he  Avas  enabled  to  prosecute 
liis  labors  more  vigorously  than  he  had  done  in  several  precedin"- 
years,  lie  had  been  engaged  for  three  successive  days,  in  company 
with  one  of  his  elders,  in  visiting  his  flock;  and  his  heart  had  been 
greatly  cheered,  by  finding  not  a  few  among  them  who  were  deeply 
concerned  in  respect  to  their  immortal  interests;  and  this  pi-oved  to 
be  the  commencement  of  a  revival  of  great  power,  which,  however,  he 
was  not  permitted  to  witness,  unless  it  were  from  heaven.  Returning 
home  much  fatigued  at  the  close  of  the  third  day,  some  apprehension 
was  expressed  that  he  might  have  overtasked  his  strength;  but  he 
replied  with  emphasis,  that  he  was  exceedingly  anxious  to  finish 
his  visitation  on  that  day;  from  which  it  was  inferred,  by  some,  that 
he  had  a  presentiment  of  his  approaching  dei)arture.  After  taking 
leave  of  a  foreign  missionary  (Rev.  Mr.  Harris)  and  his  wife,  (Miss 


200  HISTORICAL  NOTES. 

Laturette,)  whom  he  had  married  a  short  lime  before,  lie  conduLled  his 
family  devotions,  and  then  retired  to  rest.  Just  after  he  had  fallen 
asleep,  his  epileptic  fits  returned  upon  him  -with  unusual  violence, 
and  by  one  o'clock  the  next  morning  he  had  breathed  his  last.  His 
death  occurred  on  the  4th  of  October,  1821.  The  tidings  took  his 
congregation  by  surprise,  and  overwhelmed  them  with  sorrow.  His 
funeral  sermon  was  preached  to  an  immense  congregation,  by  the 
Rev.  John  Ludlow,"  one  of  the  professors  in  the  Theological  Semi- 
nary at  New-Brunswick. 

The  wife  of  Mr.  Vredenburgh  was' Sarah  Caldwell,  daughter  of  the 
Rev.  James  Caldwell,  of  Elizabeth,  of  Revolutionary  fame,  and  they 
were  married  on  the  23d  of  April,  1 800.  Mrs.  Vredenburgh  survived 
her  husband  five  years,  and  died  in  the  city  of  New-Brunswick.  She 
was  a  woman  of  fine  culture,  eminent  endowments,  and  a  most  sincere 
and  active  Christian.  They  had  eleven  children,  two  sons  and  nine 
daughters.  The  sons  died  young.  The  daughters  married:  one  Rev. 
Dr.  Paynter,  another  Mr.  Montgomery,  another  R.  Van  Pelt,  another 
Rev.  Edgar  Freeman,  and  perished  with  her  husband  in  the  Sepoy 
war  in  India,  another  Mr.  Woodward,  another  Mr.  Van  Pelt,  and  two 
died  in  their  early  womanhood  in  New-Brunswick. 

To  the  above  tribute  of  a  daughter's  afiection  we  add  part  of  a 
letter  from  Dr.  Ferris,  of  New-York,  who  in  early  life  was  an  associate 
of  Mr.  Vredenburgh  as  pastor  in  the  same  classis  :  "  Mr.  Vredenburgh 
was  rather  below  than  above  the  medium  stature,  and  firmly  and 
compactly  built.  You  could  not  call  him  a  handsome  man,  and  yet 
the  expression  of  his  countenance  Avas  both  intellectual  and  benevo- 
lent ;  it  was  a  mirror  that  reflected  at  once  the  sound,  vigorous  mind, 
and  the  generous  and  confiding  heart.  And  his  character  was  just 
what  you  could  infer  from  his  external  appearance.  His  mind  was 
acute  and  discriminating,  patient  in  its  investigations,  and  careful  in 
its  conclusions.  Though  he  could  not  be  called  an  eminent  scholar, 
Ills  general  acquirements  were  very  respectable,  and  in  theology  ho 
was  deeply  and  thoroughly  read,  as  was  evident  from  the  manner  in 
which  he  conducted  the  examinations  of  students  who  were  candi- 
dates for  licensure.  He  possessed  great  kindliness  of  spirit;  and  while 
he  manifested  this  in  all  his  intercourse,  it  was  especially  apparent  in 
his  manner  of  treating  young  men.  Such  was  the  confidence  which 
our  students  reposed,  not  only  in  his  kindness  but  his  wisdom,  that  it 
Avas  not  uncommon  for  them,  when  they  were  in  difiiculty,  to  go  out 
to  Somerville  to  solicit  his  counsel  and  aid  ;  and  whatever  it  was  in 
his  power  to  do  for  them,  they  were  sure  would  be  done.    He  was  re- 


HISTORICAL  NOTES.  201 

mavkablc  for  liis  thoughtful  regard  for  the  interests  of  others.     I  be- 
lieve he  never  lost  an  opportunity  of  doing  good. 

"As  ^preacher,  he  held  deservedly  a  high  rank.  His  discourses  were 
full  of  well-digested  evangelical  thought,  expressed  in  a  simple,  per- 
spicuous, and  correct  style,  but  without  any  attempt  of  artificial  orna- 
ment. His  manner  was  animated  and  earnest,  though  it  varied  in 
tliis  respect  not  a  little  with  the  changes  in  his  physical  condition, 
llis  preaching,  without  being  of  the  most  popular  cast,  was  always  ac- 
ceptable ;  and  was  most  highlj'  appreciated  by  the  most  intellectual 
and  pious  portion  of  his  hearers.  It  was  rather  of  a  revival  cast,  and 
Avas  very  faithftd  in  its  dealings  with  the  consciences  of  sinners. 

"  He  was  distinguished  by  a  profound  knowledge  of  the  principles 
and  workings  of  human  nature;  and  yet,  while  he  made  good  use  of 
his  knowledge  in  both  his  public  and  private  relations,  it  was  accom- 
panied with  that  perfect  transpai'ency  and  guilelessness  of  spirit  that 
always  kept  it  from  being  suspected  of  any  purposes  of  a  doubtful 
nature.  This  ijeculiar  quality  was  constantly  manifested  in  his  inter-, 
course  with  his  consistory;  he  had  the  faculty,  without  seeming  to 
exert  any  influence  over  them,  to  make  them  carry  out  his  wishes  to 
the  letter.  This,  too,  was  one  of  the  qualities  that  made  him  a  most 
valuable  member  of  a  church  court ;  his  influence  in  classis  and  synod 
was  scarcely  exceeded  by  that  of  any  of  his  contemporaries.  He  was 
also  one  of  the  best  pastors;  his  devotion  to  the  interests  of  his  flock 
was  untiring,  and  tlieir  attachment  to  him  and  confidence  in  him 
scarcely  knew  a  limit. 

"Mr.  Vredenburgh's  ministry  had,  literally,  closed  before  its  most 
blessed  results  had  begun  to  develop  themselves.  Shortly  after  his 
decease,  a  revival  of  religion  took  place  among  his  people,  Avhich  might 
be  considered  the  joint  product  of  his  life  and  his  death.  I  visited  the 
congregation  during  this  period,  and  conversed  with  many  of  the 
anxious  inquirers,  and  was  struck  with  the  fact  that,  wdiile  they  had 
received  their  impressions  under  his  ministry,  they  had  been  deepen- 
ed and  matured  and  developed  by  his  deatli.  Upward  of  three 
hundred  (344)  made  a  public  profession  of  their  faith  during  that  re- 
vival, most  of  whom,  no  doubt, may  be  reckoned  as  gems  in  hisci'own 
of  rejoicing. 

"]\[y  <\\\tY  would  not  be  complete  did  I  not  call  attention  to  the 
fact  that  my  excellent  friend  was  blessed  with  a  wife  whose  admi- 
rable qualities  aided  him  unusually  in  his  work.  Suttering,  as  he  did, 
from  occasional  attacks  of  illness,  which  for  weeks  would  interruj)t  liis 
work,  it  was  her  habit  to  mingle  much  with  the  sick,  the  poor,  and  tiie 


2Q2  HISTORICAL   NOTES. 

afflicted,  and  by  counsel  and  prayer  to  make  up  for  the  want  of  his 
services.  For  this  she  was  remarkably  qualified  by  education  and 
piety."  She  had  a  martyred  mother ;  and  was  a  babe  in  her  arms 
wlien  she  was  shot  by  a  British  soldier,  after  the  battle  of  Springfield, 
in  a  jirivate  house,  remote  from  the  scene  of  strife  and  without  any 
justification  whatever — in  gratification  of  a  deep  feeling  of  malice 
Avith  Avhich,  for  interested  reasons,  the  troops  had  been  inspired. 

"  The  revival  spoken  of  Avas,  in  truth,  one  of  the  most  blessed  and  re- 
markable works  of  gi'ace  of  which  we  have  any  record.  It  took  place 
Avhile  the  church  was  without  a  pastor,  and  in  its  continuance  and 
progress  depended  for  guidance  very  much  upon  the  elders  of  the 
church.  They  conducted  the  prayer-meetings,  supplied  the  church 
Avith  the  kind  of  preaching  needed,  and  in  Rev.  Truman  Osborn  found 
the  very  man  required.  He  had  a  talent  for  exhortation,  for  conver- 
sation with  the  anxious,  for  family  visitation.  He  went  from  house  to 
house,  and  attended  meetings  for  prayer  and  instruction,  almost  every 
day.  He  seemed  to  understand  just  Avhat  Avas  to  be  done,  and  did 
it,  making  liimself  a  blessing  indeed  to  many." 

Among  its  striking  results  were,  not  only  the  lai-ge  number  of 
hopeful  converts,  but  their  consistency  afterward.  Only  three  gave 
occasion  of  discipline,  after  uniting  Avith  the  church  ;  and  a  very 
large  proportion  lived  and  died  in  the  exemplification  of  the  better 
and  higher  type  of  Christian  character.  Of  the  number  given  above,  it 
is  also  remarkable  that  23  Avere  colored  persons,  residing  as  servants 
in  the  diiferent  families  of  the  congregation.  Indeed,  the  number  ot 
colored  people  belonging  to  the  church  in  Somerville  at  this  time,  and 
for  some  years  afterward,  is  too  remarkable  to  be  left  in  silence.  On 
one  occasion,  as  the  writer  of  this  remembers  perfectly,  there  came 
08  such  persons  from  the  galleries  and  sat  down  at  the  Lord's  table. 
It  Avas  a  custom  in  many  of  the  households  to  have  their  servants  al- 
Avays  present  at  family  Avorship,  and  to  insist  on  their  constant  attend- 
ance on  public  Avorship  on  Sabbath  day.  The  results  noticed  are, 
therefore,  only  such  as  ought  to  have  been  expected  from  their  train- 
ing and  example. 

Mr.  Vredenburgh's  remains  are  covered  by  Avhat  is  known  as  "the 
Ministers'  Tomb"  in  the  Raritan  Cemetery,  on  Avhich  is  the  following 
inscription:  "Rev.  John  S.  Vredenburgh  departed  tliis  life  October 
14th,  1821,  aged  55  years,  6  months,  and  24  days.  He  Avas  prudent, 
amiable,  and  devoted  to  the  service  of  God.  He  labored  successfully 
in  this  gospel  vineyard  21  years,  sowing  much  seed  and  Avatering  it 
Avith  tears.     His  Avork  being  finished,  the  Lord  of  the  harvest  came 


HISTORICAL    NOTES.  203 

and  gatliered  in  many  souls  which  will  appear  as  his  crownsof  rejoic- 
ing in  tlie  last  great  day.  What  I  do  ihou  knowest  not  now,  but 
thou  shalt  know  hereafter." 

From  October,  1821,  until  January,  182G,  more  than  four'years,  the 
church  remained  vacant.  On  the  25th  of  that  month,  the  candidate, 
]tichard  D.  Van  Kleck,  was  conducted  from  New-Brunswick  by  two 
of  the  elders,  and  welcomed  to  Somerville,  after  having  accepted  the 
call.  Pie  continued  to  serve  the  church  after  his  ordination,  until  tlie 
5th  day  of  August,  1831,  Avhen,  on  account  of  ill-health,  he  resigned 
his  charge. 

He  was  a  native  of  Poughkeepsie;  graduated  at  Union  College  Avith 
honor  in  the  class  of  1S22.  In  the  autumn  of  the  same  year,  having 
been  a  convert  in  the  revival  in  the  college  in  the  winter  of  1819 
and  1820,  he  entered  the  Theological  Seminary  at  ISTew-Brunswick, 
and  was  licensed  by  the  classis  of  New-Brunswick  in  May,  1825.  It 
was  probably  not  wise  in  the  congregation  to  call  a  young  man,  nor 
prudent  in  him  to  accept  their  call.  The  duties  of  so  large  a  charge 
proved  to  be  so  exhausting,  that  his  health  soon  began  to  suffer ;  and, 
not  too  soon  to  save  a  little  remaining  strength,  he  laid  down  the 
onerous  burden.  He  had,  and  left  behind  him,  many  warm  friends; 
but  none  of  them  could  say  that  he  had  not  done  wisely.  He  went 
to  Basking  Ridge  and  taught  the  academy,  left  vacant  by  the  removal 
of  Dr.  Brownlee  to  a  professorship  in  Kutgers  College.  In  1834,  he 
assumed  the  pastorship  of  the  church  at  Canajoharie,  in  the  valley  of 
the  Mohawk.  The  next  year  he  served  the  churches  of  Berne  and 
Beaverdam,  in  the  county  of  Albany.  In  1843,  he  became  principal  of 
Erasmus  Hall  Academy,  in  the  village  of  Flatbush,  Long  Island.  In 
1860,  he  went  to  Jersey  City  and  taught  a  jirivate  classical  school,  and 
closed  his  life  there  May  2'7th,  1870. 

Mr.  Van  Kleck  was  an  accurate  classical  scholar,  a  man  of  literary 
culture,  a  good  preacher,  a  gentleman;  and  in  social  life,  genial,  con- 
fiding, and  agreeable.  He  had  made  many  friends,  and  died  generally 
lamented.  He  married,  soon  after  his  settlement  at  Somerville,  Sarah 
Johanna  JMellison,  of  New-Brunswick.  One  of  their  daughters  became 
the  wife  of  Kev.  Mr.  MacNair.  The  widow  resides  in  Jersey  City. 
His  remains  were  interred  in  Bayside  Cemetery,  at  Communipaw, 
Bergen  County,  and  on  his  tomb  is  inscribed:  "To  the  memory  of 
Kev.  Richard  D.  Van  Kleck,  born  October  30th,  1804,  and  died  May 
27th,  1870.  Blessed  are  the  dead  which  die  in  the  Lord.  Yea,  saith 
the  Spirit,  that  they  may  rest  from  their  labors,  and  their  works  do 
follow  them." 


204  HISTORICAL   NOTES. 

In  1832,  the  present  pastor  was  called,  and  began  his  labors  no 
Sabbath,  the  29th  of  October.  He  has  been  with  his  jieople  in  weak- 
ness and  in  strength  ;  and  his  labor  has  not  been  in  vain  in  the 
Lord ;  and  to  God's  name  and  grace  be  ascribed  the  glory.  A  pastorate 
embracing  forty  years  is  as  much  an  honor  to  the  people  as  to  the 
laboi'er  himself.  No  church,  except  one  that  is  well  ordered  and 
that  loves  the  Gospel,  can  possibly  be  satisfied  with  any  one  man  so 
many  years. 

We  append  a  list  of  the  young  men  who  have  entered  the  ministry 
from  the  church  of  Raritan:  John  Leydt,  1745;  Ferdinandus  Fre- 
linghuysen,  1753  ;  EliasVanBenschoten,  1769  ;  Matthew  Leydt,  1778  ; 
Isaac  Blauvelt,  ditto;  Rynier  Van  Nest,  1786;  Conradt  Ten  Eyck, 
1788  ;  Jehiel  Talmage,  1803  ;  Isaac  N.  Wykoff,  1814  ;  Brogun  Huff, 
ditto;  Jonathan  Ford  Morris,  1819;  Ferdinand  Vanderveei',  1820; 
Frederick  F.  Cornell,  1822;  Garret  J.  Garretson,  ditto;  James  R. 
Talmage,  1822;  Alexander  M.  Mann,  ditto;  Abraham  XL  Dumont, 
1823  ;  Hugh  G.  Hedges,  1839,  died  just  before  receiving  licensure; 
John  A.  Todd,  1840  ;  John  Steele,  1842  ;  George  J.  Van  Neste,  1842  ; 
John  Gaston,  1843  ;  Nathaniel  Conklin,  1843  ;  and  Augustus F.  Todd, 
1843,    These  dates  mark  the  time  when  they  united  with  the  church. 


NEW-BRUNSWICK:    THE  CHURCH  OF   THE  RIVER  AND 
LAWRENCE'S  BROOK. 


The  church  of  New-Brunswick  is  properly  the  successor  of  the  old 
church  of  Three-Mile  Run.  For  some  time  after  it  came  into  exist- 
ence it  Avas  called  the  "Church  of  the  River  and  Lawrence's  Brook," 

The  time  when  the  settlements  began  in  New-Brunswick  and  its 
vicinity  is  fixed  by  the  dates  of  the  land  titles.  John  Inians  &  Co. 
obtained  a  title  to  10,000  acres  of  land,  in  June,  1781,  at  a  place 
called  by  the  Indians  Ahanderhamock.  November  10th,  1681,  Inians 
secured  a  title  for  himself  to  1280  acres  of  this  tract,  joining  immedi- 
ately on  the  river.  This  purchase  included  the  land  on  which  the 
city  of  New-Brunswick  was  subsequently  built.  The  first  settlers 
are  known  to  have  come  almost  immediately  after  this  date.  They 
arrived  (at  least  some  of  the  first  of  them)  as  early  as  1684.  Several 
of  them   were   Hollanders,  or   descendants  of  Hollanders ;    as,  for 


HISTORICAL   NOTES.  205 

instance,  IToiuli-ick  Vroom,  at  the  landing,  George  Andersen,  Jacob 
Probasco,  Nicholas  Van  Diiyn,  and  others.  Some  were  of  Huguenot 
origin,  as  indicated  by  such  names  as  La  Priere,  De  Peyster,  Rap- 
palje.  La  Montes,  Montfort,  Fanger,  Le  Queer,  La  Montague. 

John  Inians  and  wife  obtained  a  license  to  ferry  passengers  over 
the  river  December  2d,  1697,  paying  an  annual  rent  of  five  sliillings 
sterling.  This  ferry,  known  long  afterward  as  "Inians's  Ferry,"  was 
in  connection  with  one  of  the  two  earliest  roads  across  the  State, and 
at  first  this  road  was  only  a  bridle-path.  The  other  road  ran  from 
Amboy  to  Bordentown.  Besides  Inians,  there  were,  soon  after  the 
above  date,  others  who  settled  near  him. 

Tiie  first  house  for  the  worship  of  God  in  the  county  of  Somerset 
was  built  on  "  the  old  burying-ground,"  on  the  road  to  Six-Mile  Run, 
about  a  mile  and  a  half  beyond  the  present  limits  of  the  city  of  New- 
Brunswick,  and  was  known  as  the  "  Church  at  Three-Mile  Run."* 
The  date  of  the  building  and  the  organization  of  the  church  are  not 
known.  All  the  records,  if  there  ever  were  any,  have  perished.  Its 
form  and  appearance  are  also  unknown,  except  from  tradition.  Some 
remnants  of  its  foundation  were  visible  a  few  years  since.  It  stood, 
however,  more  than  sixty  years,  and  is  said  to  have  been  at  last 
destroyed  by  the  British  troops  during  the  war  of  the  Revolution. 
It  was  never  finished,  and  is  spoken  of  in  1729  as  being  in  such  a 
state  as  to  render  it  questionable  whether  it  could  be  i;sed  for  reli- 
gious worsliip.  The  prominent  elders  of  this  organization  seem  to 
have  been  Ilendrick  Vroom  and  Frederik  Van  Lieuwen. 

The  earliest  record  referring  to  religious  Avorship  is  in  a  subscrip- 
tion list,  recently  discovered  by  Ralf  Voorhees,  Esq.,  of  Middlobush, 
on  which  are  the  following  names,  namely :  Dollius  Ilageman,  Teunis 
Quick,  Hend.  Emans,  Thos.  Cort,  Jacobus  Probasco,  Neclas  WyckofF, 
Michael  L.  ]\[oor,  John  Sohcdeman,  Neclas  Van  Dyke,  John  Van 
Ilouten,  William  Bennet,  Folkerd  Van  Nostrand,  Jacobus  Bennet, 
Ilendrik  Fanger,  Abram  Bennet,  Cornelius  Petersen,  Philip  Folker- 
sen,  Dave  L.  Draver,  George  Anderson,  Stobel  Probasco,  Isaac  L 
Priere,  Simon  Van  AVinkelen,  Cobus  Benat,  Garret  Oatman,  Lucas 
Covert,  Brogun  Covert,  William  Van  Duyn,  Dennis  VanDuyn,  John 
Folkerscn,  and  Jost  Benat.  Tiiis  subscription  is  dated  l703,and  the 
amount  is  £10  IGs.  Gd.  The  object  was  to  procure  a  minister  from 
Holland  to  preach  the  Gospel  to  them.     In  addition  to  these  names, 

*  On  the  road  from  Inians's  Ferry  to  Trenton,  called  the  Kinjj's  IIi;i:hway,  there 
were  rivulets  called  the  Mile  Run,  Three-Mile  Run,  Six-Mile  Run,  Ten-Mile  Run, 
each  so  many  miles  from  the  river,  and  crossing  the  road. 


206  HISTORICAL   NOTES. 

at  an  early  day  we  find  the  otliers,  as  Enoch  Frclandt,  John  Van 
Nnise,  Johannes  StoothofF,  Gose  Vandenbergh,  Roelef  Sebring,  Hen- 
drik  Bries,  Martin  Salem,  Jacobus  Ouke,  Coert  Van  Voorhees,  Roelef 
Voorhees,  Isaac  Van  Dyke,  Laurence  Williamse,  Peter  Kinne,  Steven 
Philips,  Siba  Mart,  Cornelius  Solems,  Hendrik  Vroom,  and  others. 

In  the  mean  time  the  settlement  around  "  Inians's  Ferry  "  had  begun 
to  increase  into  a  town,  and  created  a  necessity  for  some  place  of 
Avorship  for  the  families  residing  there.  Accordingly,  instead  of 
finishing  the  old  church  at  Three-Mile  Run,  they  bent  their  energies  to 
the  erection  of  a  new  church  in  the  town.  The  house  was  built, 
according  to  an  old  map  of  the  city  of  New-Brunswick,  previous  to 
the  year  1717.  Dr.  Steele  thinks  there  is  reason  for  believing  it  was 
as  early  as  1714.  It  stood  on  the  corner  of  Burnet  and  Schureman 
streets.  The  building  fronted  the  river,  and  occupied  the  corner  lot. 
It  was  a  wooden  structure,  50  feet  in  front  and  40  feet  in  depth. 
There  were  seven  pews  on  each  side  of  the  pulpit,  and  eight  along 
the  middle  aisle — in  all  fifty  pews,  capable  of  seating  300  persons.  It 
was  only  completed  after  standing  several  years,  and  the  people 
worshiped  in  it  for  fifty  years  or  more. 

The  project  of  transferring  the  worship  from  Three-Mile  Pun  to 
the  town  on  the  river,  did  not  proceed,  however,  without  opposition, 
The  old  congregation  was  reluctant  to  part  with  its  members  who 
lived  east  and  northeast  of  the  church ;  and  some  of  the  people  west 
of  the  church  also  resisted  it.  Several  public  meetings  of  the  people 
Avere  held  to  discuss  the  matter,  but  on  the  12th  of  April,  171 7,  a 
decision  was  reached.  It  was  recorded  in  the  following  words  :  "  In 
order  to  ^^I'event  disturbance  and  contention,  and  thereby  establish 
peace  in  the  church,"  the  following  plan  was  harmoniously  agreed  to  : 
"That  the  church  built  near  Abraham  Bennet's — the  Three-Mile  Run 
church — shall  be  considered  as  belonging  to  the  church  of  Lawrence's 
Brook  and  on  the  river,  and  that  the  members  of  the  congregation 
residing  in  the  neighborhood  of  Six  and  Ten-Mile  Run  shall  also 
build  a  church  for  themselves  at  either  of  these  places,  or  at  some 
point  intervening,  as  they  may  agree."  It  was  also  determined  that 
"the  church  in  the  town  and  at  Three-Mile-Run  shall  each  have  a  con- 
sistory, who  shall  cooperate  with  each  other,  and,  notwithstanding 
there  are  two  places  of  worship,  the  two  congregations  shall  form 
one  church ;  and  in  matters  of  great  importance  the  two  consistories 
shall  meet  as  one  body,  and  transact  such  business  as  may  come 
before  them  for  the  establishment  of  the  Christian  cliurch."  This 
was  evidently  an  arrangement  made  with  reference  to  the  feelings  of 


HISTORICAL    NOTES.  207 

the  older  members,  and  ceased  in  time,  all  the  regular  services  being 
transferred  to  tlie  church  in  town.  This  arrangement  was  in  existence 
during  the  first  part  of  T.  J.  Frelingliuysen's  ministry. 

Roelef  Sebring  was  appointed  elder  for  the  new  congi-egation, 
Ilendrik  Bries,  and  Roelef  Lucas,  (Voorhees,)  deacons  ;  and  this  num- 
ber was  increased  afterwards  to  three  elders  and  tliree  deacons,  namely, 
Aart  Aartsen,  Isaac  Van  Dyke,  Roelef  Sebring,  elders,  and  Johannes 
Folkersen,  Ilendrik  Bries,  and  Roelef  Lucas,  (Voorhees,)  deacons.  At 
tlie  same  time,  in  furtherance  of  the  agreement  referred  to,  Peter 
Kinne  Avas  appointed  elder  for  the  church  at  Six-Mile  Run,  and  Elbert 
StoothofF deacon,  and  that  church  became  a  distinct  organization. 

Now,  it  certainly  will  aj^pear  not  a  little  remarkable  that  all  these 
things  were  transacted,  and  yet  there  are  no  documents  whatever 
showing  what  religious  services  were  held  in  these  churches,  or  who 
conducted  them.  There  were  religious  services,  unquestionably,  for 
children  were  baptized  and  the  holy  sacrament  administered  in  all 
the  three  churches.  The  first  register  at  New-Brunswick  is  dated 
August  14th,  1717,  when  three  children  were  baptized,  namely,  Eliza- 
beth, daughter  of  Johannes  Stoothoff",  Cornelius,  son  of  Martin  Salem, 
and  John,  son  of  Jacob  Ouke  ;  and  in  the  three  succeeding  years 
there  were  twenty-nine  children  admitted  to  the  ordinance  of  baptism. 
All  this  was  before  the  settlement  of  Frelinghuysen. 

"VVe  can  only  speak  from  probabilities  when  we  say  that  the  settle- 
ments in  Somerset  County,  being  mostly  formed  from  Long  Island, 
must  have  been  supplied  in  some  way  with  occasional  services  by  the 
ministers  from  the  same  place.  That  these  ministers  exercised  an 
influence  in  these  churches  is  shown  in  various  Avays.  They  were 
consulted,  they  advised,  their  peculiar  sentiments  had  representa- 
tives, and  Bernardus  Freeman  Avas  the  agent  in  having  Frelinghuy- 
sen's  call  made  out  and  sent  to  Holland.  If  their  handwriting  could 
be  compared  with  the  baptismal  records,  it  is  not  improbable  Ave 
should  be  able  to  ascertain  who  made  them,  and  so  arrive  at  dates 
Avhen  they  supplied  the  churches;  and  this  may  yet  be  done. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  the  families  composing  the  Church  of  the 
River  and  Lawrence's  Brook  in  1717.  It  is  preserved  as  being  the 
?iz«'/e?<sof  theXew-BrunsAvick  church  at  an  early  day,  and  is  extracted 
from  the  appendix  of  Dr.  Steel's  historical  discourse,  to  Avhich  also 
Ave  owe  most  of  the  foregoing  particulars.     It  is  as  follows : 

"  Adriuen  Bennet  and  Angenietie  his  Avife;  Aart  Aartsen  and  Elisa- 
bet  ditto  ;  Isaac  Van  Dyke  and  Barbera  ditto;  Roelef  Sebring  and 
Christyn  ditto;  Johannes  Folkertsen  and  Angenietie  ditto  ;  Ileudrick 


.208  HISTOEICAL  NOTES. 

Bries  and  Henne  ditto;  Roelef  Van  Voorhees  and  Helena  ditto; 
Laurens  Williamse  and  Saara  ditto;  Roelef  ISTevius  and  Katalyna 
ditto;  John  Van  Voorhees  and  Neeltie  ditto;  Minne  V.  Voorhees 
and  Antie ;  Samuel  Montfort,  Maria  Frelanth,  Jacobus  Oiikee  and 
Henne  his  wife ;  Johannes  Stoothoff  and  Neetie  ditto  ;  Abraham 
Bennet  and  Jannetie  ditto ;  Elizabeth  Bries,  Jakis  Fontyn  and 
Annike  his  Avife  ;  Siarls  (Charles)  Fontyn  and  Helena  ditto  ;  Annatie 
Folkersen,  Jacobus  Buys  and  Mavietie  his  wife;  Niccklas  Bason; 
Hendrick  Meech  and  Anna  Madeline  his  wife;  Bernardus  Knetorand 
Elizabeth  his  wife  ;  Johannes  Metselaer,  Guertie  Smock,  Elizabeth 
Smock,  Christofel  Van  Arsdalen  and  Madaleentie  his  wife ;  Jakob 
Korse  and  Adriaantie  ditto;  Katrina  Boyd,  Cornelius  Sudam  and 
Maritie  his  wife ;  Josis  Anderse  and  Jacomendie  ditto ;  Jan  Aten, 
Thomas  Aten  and  Elsie  his  wife ;  Thomas  Davidts  and  Annatie  ditto  ; 
Helena  Hogelandt,  Willem  Klaasen  and  Marijahis  wife  ;  Maregeretie 
Keynierse,  Thomas  Bonsoman  and  Neeltie  his  wife;  Marten  Vander 
Hoeve,  William  Moor,  Andries  Wortman  and  Jannetie  his  wife; 
Johannes  Koevert  and  Jannitie  ditto  ;  and  Barbara  Janse." 

Of  the  above  names  thirty-three  are  males  and  heads  of  families, 
and  there  is  a  double  interest  in  T*ecording  them.  It  not  only  indi- 
cates Avhat  a  resjjectable  number  had  already  been  connected  with  the 
church,  and  so  is  a  j:)roof  of  the  jiiety  and  the  religious  character  of 
our  forefothers,  but  it  indicates  when  the  original  ancestors  of  the 
present  living  families  came  and  made  the  counties  of  Somerset  and 
Middlesex  their  permanent  home.  Whatever  praise  may  be  justly 
accorded  to  Theodorus  J.  Frelinghuysen  for  his  energy  and  perse- 
verance, it  is  certain  there  were  Christians  in  these  churches  before 
his  day.     Tlie  foundations,  at  least,  had  ali-eady  been  laid. 

In  1  Vis, (it  must  have  been  at  least  as  eai-ly  as  this  date,)  a  call  was 
sent  to  Holland  by  Rev.  Bernardus  Freeman,  of  Long  Island,  from 
the  four  united  congregations  of  Three-Mile  Run,  Six-Mile  Run, 
Raritan,  and  North-Branch,  which,  after  being  approved  by  the 
Classis  of  Amsterdam,  was  expected  to  be  put  in  the  hands  of  such  a 
man  as  they  might  think  pi'oper,  and  then  he  was  to  be  ordained  and 
sent  over  to  his  pastoral  charge.  This  call  was  put  in  the  hands  of 
Rev.  Theodorus  Jacobus  Frelinghuysen,  and  accepted.  Pie  arrived 
in  New- York  the  last  days  of  December,  1Y19,  or  the  first  days  of 
January,  1720,  and  early  in  Februaiy  came  to  the  vicinity  of  Three- 
Mile  Run,  and  resided  in  the  family  of  Hendrik  Reyniersz.  He 
brought  Avith  him  Jacobus  Schureman,  who  was  expected  to  act  as 
"  Voorleeser,"  or  chorister  and  schoolmaster.     He  was  at  the  same 


jaiSTOEICAL    NOTES.  209 

time  friend  and  coraj)anion,  and  being,  like  Mr.  Frelingliuysen,  un- 
married, they  boarded  in  the  same  house.  We  refer  our  readers  to 
Avhat  is  contained  in  tliese  notes  under  the  title  Raritan,  for  a  full 
account  of  Mr.  Freliiighuysen's  character  and  mlnistr}-,  and  there- 
fore proceed  with  other  important  matters. 

In  1729,  an  effort  was  made  by  certain  persons  in  tlie  vicinity  of 
Tliree-Mile  Run  and  Six-Mile  Run,  apparently  from  dissatisfaction 
Avith  the  minister  and  tlie  existing  condition  of  things,  to  procure 
another  preacher  from  Holland — whether  to  preach  in  the  same 
churches  or  not,  does  not  appear.  The  old  church-building  at  Three- 
Mile  Run  is  referred  to  as  being  in  a  state  in  Avhich  it  was  doubtful 
Avhether  it  was  fit  to  hold  service  in,  and  in  case  it  should  not  be  eli- 
gible, ITendrik  Vroom  and  Frederik  Van  Lieuw  Avere  appointed  a 
committee  to  erect  a  new  house,  near  the  residence  of  John  Pittenger. 
The  subscription  paper  is  still  in  existence.  We  give  the  names  on 
it  as  representing  "^/«e  o^(?  Conferentie  families''''  in  the  vicinity  at 
that  time.  They  are  :  A.  Cooram,  Simon  Wyckoff,  Dennis  Van  Duyn, 
Leonard  Smock,  Corn's  Peterson,  George  Andersen,  William  Van 
Duyn,  Jacobus  Boise,  Hendrik  Smock,  Christopher  Probasco,  William 
KouenhoA^en,  Jacobus  Bennet,  Peter  Bodine,  Gideon  Marlat,  William 
Rennet,  Paul  Le  Boyton,  Francis  Harrison,  Abram  Bennet,  Isaac  Le 
Queer,  Jacobus  Bennet,  oSTiclas  Dailey,  Adrian  Ilardenbrook,  Luke 
Coevert,  and  Jacob  Probasco.  The  committee  appointed  to  procure 
the  minister  Avere  Ilendrik  Vroom  and  Fredrik  Van  Lieuw.  This 
effort  Avas  made  probably  in  concert  with  other  persons  in  the  other 
congregations,  but  Ave  have  no  documents  in  proof  of  tliis,  or  how  it 
eventuated.  Tlie  call  probably  Avas  never  sent  to  Holland.  It  was 
an  irregular  proceeding  entirely'. 

In  1730,  tlie  church  in  the  town  received  an  important  addition  to 
its  strength  in  an  emigration  from  Albany.  A  number  of  lamilies 
came,  bringing  their  materials  for  building  with  them,  and  settled  in 
•Avhat  is  yet  Albany  street,  New-Brunswick.  Among  them  Avere  the 
following :  Abraham  Schuyler,  Ilendrik  Van  Deursen,  Dirk  Van 
Veghten,  Abraham  Schuyler,  John  Ten  Broek,  Nicholas  Van  Dyke, 
and  Dirk  Van  Alen.  They  all  remained,  and  became  permanent 
residents,  excepting  Dirk  Van  Veghten,  Avho  Avcntsoon  and  purchased 
land  on  the  Raritan,  below  Somerville,  Avliere  his  descendants  long 
resided. 

In  1734,  the  same  individuals  probably  who  had  attempted  to  make 
out  a  call  for  a  new  minister  had  a  new  consistory  appointed  among 
themselves,  and  ordained   by  liev.  A^incentius  Antonidcs,   of   Long 


210  HISTORICAL   NOTES. 

Island,  consisting  of  Simon  Wyckoff  and  Hendrik  Vrooni  as  elders, 
and  Simon  Van  Winklen  and  Dennis  Van  Duyn  as  deacons.  This 
movement  again  was  made  in  concert  with  the  malcontents  in  the 
other  congregations.  Indeed,  a  consistory  for  North-Branch,  it  would 
seem,'  was  appointed  and  ordained  at  the  same  time  and  place,  con- 
sisting of  Daniel  Seebring  and  Peter  Kinne,  elders,  and  William 
Ross  and  Francis  Waldron,  deacons.  At  a  later  day,  Rev.  Johannes 
Ai'ondins  had  himself  installed  in  these  congregations,  contrary  to 
all  order  and  propriety,  by  Fryenmort. 

On  the  20th  November,  1739,  Whitefield  preached  to  a  very  large 
concourse  of  people  in  the  city  of  New-Brunswick,  gathered  from  all 
the  surrounding  country.  In  his  journal  he  notices  the  presence  of 
T.  J.  Frelinghuysen,  pastor  of  a  congregation  about  four  miles  dis- 
tant, apparently  ignorant  of  the  nature  of  his  combined  charge,  and 
of  the  existence  of  any  other  churches  over  which  he  exercised  a  pas- 
toral care ;  and  yet  he  had,  we  think,  already  preached  at  Basking- 
ridge  and  Bound  Brook.  Frelinghuysen  was  evidently  at  one  with 
"Whitefield  in  all  his  views  on  jDractical  religion,  and  prepared 
earnestly  to  second  his  efforts  to  introduce  a  higher  and  more  spiritual 
form  of  Christianity  than  that  which  prevailed  in  the  churches  at 
that  time.  Both  were  far  in  advance  of  their  time  in  the  earnestness 
and  devotion  of  a  true  Christian  spirit,  and  fully  prepared  to 
cooperate  in  extending  it  among  all  the  churches.  They  met,  and 
at  once  recognized  each  the  other  as  having  drank  in  from  the  same 
fountain. 

From  this  time  onward  Mr.  Frelinghuysen  seems  to  have  had  more 
quietness  and  acceptance  than  at  first.  Tlie  great  work  which  he 
had  done  testified  of  him.  The  number  received  into  the  church  by 
the  records  was  about  60.  This  is  more  than  one  from  each  family. 
The  largest  accession  was  in  1741,  when  there  were  22  added  to  his 
church.  This  was  after  Whitefield's  visit.  Dr.  Steele  is  persuaded 
the  list  is  incomplete,  and  Ave  can  say  the  same  thing  of  that  of  Ra- 
ritan.  He  had  done  a  noble  work,  and  was  ready  to  lay  down  his 
armor  whenever  called.  He  continued  to  Avork  as  faithfully  as  ever 
for  at  least  seven  years  after  the  last  date  given,  and  then  he  Avent 
to  his  rest,  in  the  fifty-seventh  year  of  his  age,  if  the  year  of  his  birth 
(1691)  is  given  correctly.  We  believe,  in  fact,  that  he  Avas  older  than 
nineteen  years  Avhen  lie  came  from  Holland,  and  so  this  date  must  be 
incorrect  by  at  least  four  or  five  years. 

There  appears  to  have  been  too  many  things  done  by  him  before 
his  immigration  to  admit  of  the  supposition  that  he  arrived  here  a 


HISTORICAL   NOTES.  211 

mere  boy  yet  in  liis  teens.  He  liad  been  rector  of  the  academy  at 
Embden,  in  East-Frieslar.d,  liad  published  a  catechism,  and  acquired  a 
characterTor  piety  and  decision,  before  he  came  to  America,  hardly 
consistent  for  a  boy.  We  would  sooner  believe  he  was  twenty-nine 
than  nineteen,  therefore,  Avhen  he  appeared  here  on  the  stage  of  ac- 
tion ;  and  is  it  not  singular  at  least  that  the  date  of  liis  death  is 
also  undecided,  and  only  approximately  known?  The  evidence  is 
this : 

Theodorus  J.  Frelinghuysen  must  have  died  previous  to  September 
27th,  1748.  lie  is  mentioned  as  being  absent  that  year  from  tlie  con- 
vention in  New-York.  The  elder  from  his  charge  who  was  there  (Ilen- 
drik  Fisher),  urged  the  licensure  of  Johannes  Leydt,  in  order  that  the 
vacant  congregation  at  New-Brunswick  might  call  him.  The  con- 
vention manifested  a  favorable  disposition,  as  if  they  sympathized 
with  the  people,  and  after  a  full  examination  licensed  Leydt.  Now 
this  could  not  have  been  the  case  unless  the  vacancy'-  mentioned  had 
been  made  by  the  death  of  the  previous  pastor.  Verbycli,  who  was 
also  licensed,  it  would  seem,  had  been  one  of  his  students.  This  is 
the  nearest  approximation  to  the  time  of  his  death  now  possible. 
Some  document  yet  unknown  may,  however,  determine  it  hereafter. 

Again,  the  same  date  (namely,  September  27th,  1748,)  we  find  in 
another  connection  the  following  record  :  "  At  this  time  Henry  Fisher, 
,  ruling  elders  of  the  congregations  of  New-Brunswick  and  Six- 
Mile  Run,  came  before  us  with  a  call  from  both  these  congregations, 
upon  John  Leydt,  a  candidate  for  the  ministry,  to  be  their  minister, 
in  order  that  the  Kev.  Assembly  might  inspect  the  same,  and,  finding 
it  in  due  form,  might  approve  it ;  and  that  the  said  John  Leydt  might 
be  admitted  to  the  final  examination  by  the  Coetus,  Avhich  is  specially 
authorized  to  do  this  by  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam,  and,  if  found 
qualified,  be  approved  by  the  Coetus  as  the  lawfully  called  minister 
of  New-Brunswick  and  Six-Mile  Run,  and  be  declared  as  such  by 
written  testimonials  to  all  whom  it  may  concern."  This  again  is 
proof  that  Frelinghuysen  must  have  been  dead  at  least  some  time 
before  this. 

It  is  added  :  "  The  Assembly,  having  examined  the  aforesaid  call 
and  found  it  in  due  form,  liavc  taken  tiie  said  John  Leydt,  presenting 
himself  for  examination,  into  trial  of  his  gifts  upon  John  5  :  25,  which 
had  been  previously  assigned  to  liim,  and  have  been  fully  satisfied. 
And  into  the  inquiry  into  his  knowledge  of  the  principal  parts  of 
holy  theology,  he  has  shown  liimself  so  skilled,  and  so  ready  in 
removing  the  subterfuges  and  difliculties  of  them  that  are  without, 


212  HISTOEICAL   NOTES, 

that  the  Kov.  Assembly  have  found  him  mighty  to  convince  by  soi;ncl 
doctrine  and  to  overthrow  the  gainsaycrs.  Wherefore  the  Rev. 
Assembly  hold  and  recognize  the  godly  and  learned  John  Leydt, 
after  he  has  subscribed  both  the  Low  Dutch  Confession,  the  Christian 
Catechism,  and  the  Canons  of  the  National  Synod  of  Dort,  and  also 
the  rules  of  the  Coetus  as  subordinate  to  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam, 
by  this  their  written  declaration,  to  be  lawfully  called  pastor  and 
teacher  of  the  Low  Dutch  Reformed  congregations  of  New-Brunswick 
and  Six-Mile  Run,  and  thus  fully  authorized  to  preach  the  Gospel, 
to  administer  the  sacraments,  and  wisely  and  prudently  to  govern, 
according  to  the  word  of  God,  the  congregations  of  which  the  Holy 
Ghost  has  made  him,  along  with  the  elders  thereof,  an  overseer. 
While  we  earnestly  exhort  him,  when  he  shall  be  publicly  confirmed 
and  installed  in  his  congregations,  habitually  to  watch  over  the  same 
in  doctrine  and  life,  with  all  love,  and  i3eace,  and  harmony,  we  will 
not  doubt  that  he  will  apply  himself  to  become,  in  every  respect, 
approved  of  God  as  '  a  workman  who  needs  not  be  ashamed,'  doing 
the  work  of  an  evangelist,  and  of  whatever  service  his  congregations 
may  require, 

"  Wherefore  we  none  the  less  entreat  his  congregations,  who  have 
liim  for  their  pastor  and  teacher,  to  hold  him  in  honor  as  such,  for 
his  work's  sake ;  and  in  every  thing  to  help  him,  so  that  he  may 
accomplish  his  important  ministry  in  the  Gospel,  unhindered  and 
Avith  joy. 

"  The  almighty  God,  who  has  called  him  to  this  excellent  work  iu 
his  church,  enrich  him  more  and  more  with  all  the  necessary  gifts  of 
his  holy  Spirit,  and  bless  his  abundant  labors  to  the  magnifying  of 
his  holy  name,  and  the  conversion  and  salvation  of  many  souls.  And 
when  the  chief  Shepherd  shall  appear,  may  he  give  him  the  eternal 
crown  of  unfading  greatness. 

"Done  in  our  Ecclesiastical  Assembly,   subordinate  to  the  Rev. 

Classis  of  Amsterdam,  this  day,  at  New- York,  Sept.  28th,  1748.     In 

tlie  name  and  by  order  of  all, 

"  Gerard  IlAAGnoRT,  Pres. 

"  G.  Dubois,  Clerk  Extraordinary.''^ 

Thus,  Frelinghuysen  having  rested  from  his  labors,  his  successor 
had  assumed  tlie  responsibiUties  of  the  position  and  labors. 

The  Rev.  John  Leydt,  thus  formally  called  and  settled  iu  the  con- 
gregations of  New-Brunswick  and  Six-Mile  Run,  was,  in  his  day,  a 
})rominent  actor  in  the  affairs  of  all  the  churches.  lie  was  by  birth  a 
Hollander,  and  educated  at  one  of  her  universities.     He  came  to  New- 


HISTORICAL   NOTES,  213 

Nellierland  witli  an  elder  brother,  and  settled  at  first  in  the  vicinity  of 
Fishkill,  Dutchess  County,  N.  Y.  On  coming  to  New-Brunswick,  the 
consistory  prepared  a  parsonage  for  him  and  fifty  acres  ot'Iand  near 
Tliree-Mile  Run.  The  property  is  now  in  possession  of  Mr.  Isaac 
Pamyea.  He  resided  here  during  all  tlie  time  of  liis  ministry,  extend- 
ing to  thirty-five  years.  The  house  in  which  he  lived  is  yet  stand- 
ing. He  left  two  sons,  both  of  whom  graduated  at  Queen's  Col- 
lege, and  were  licensed  and  ordained.  Matthew,  the  elder,  was 
pastor  of  the  Dutch  churches  in  Bucks  County,  Pa.  He  died  eai-ly, 
and  his  remains  were  interred  at  a  place  called  "The  Buck,"  within 
the  bounds  of  his  pastoral  charge.  The  monument  erected  to  his 
memory  is  inscribed,  "  In  memory  of  Rev.  Matthew  Leydt,  who  died 
Nov.  24th,  1783,  aged  twenty-nine  years." 

Peter,  the  younger,  was  settled  at  Ramapough,  New-Jersey,  and 
soon  also  departed  this  life.  He  was  buried  in  the  family  cemetery 
of  Andrew  Hopper,  on  the  margin  of  the  Rarnapo  River.  His  monu- 
ment is  inscribed,  "In  memory  of  Rev.  Peter  Leydt,  who  was  born 
Nov.  6th,  1763,  and  departed  this  life  12th  June,  l796."  Both  were 
promising  young  ministers,  but  cut  off  in  their  early  youth. 

Tlieir  father,  Johannes  Leydt,  preceded  his  son  Matthew  a  few 
months,  <iying  suddenly,  June  2d,  1783.  His  remains  were  deposited 
in  the  old  burying-ground  of  Three-Mile  Run,  near  what  had  been 
his  life's  residence.  The  grave  is  immediately  in  front  of  the  gate, 
and  his  wife,  Treyntije  Sleight,  lies  beside  him.  She  died  Dec.  2d, 
1763,  and  beside  her  two  daughters,  Anna  and  Elizabeth,  also  sleep 
in  death.  Dr.  Steele  has  a  full  account  of  John  Lej^dt,  the  best  and 
most  complete  ever  jDrepared.  We  can  only  refer  our  readers  to  it, 
and  say  briefly  he  was  one  of  the  most  active  and  energetic  ministers 
of  his  time.  He  published  several  pamphlets  on  the  questions  of  the 
day,  but  they  seem  to  be  lost.  His  ministry  in  Somerset  was  greatly 
blessed  by  numerous  accessions  to  his  churches,  and  the  general  edifi- 
cation of  the  body  of  Christ. 

Mr.  Leydt's  successor  in  the  pastorale  of  New-Brunswick  (Six- 
Mile  Run  having  united  with  Millstone  in  calling  the  Rev.  John  M. 
Van  Harlingen)  was  Jacob  Rutsen  Hardenbergh,  D.D.,  who  was,  at 
tlie  same  time,  president  of  Queen's  College.  His  call  bears  date 
October,  1785,  but  he  did  not  conimence  his  pastorate  in  the  church 
until  April  (u-  May,  1786,  He  died  of  pulmonary  disease  on  the  20th 
October,  1790.  (For  an  account  of  him  see  notes  on  Raritan,  page 
14 


214  HISTORICAL   NOTES. 

1850.)  He  was  succeeded,  August  24th,  1793,  by  Ira  Condict,  D.D., 
who  died  June  1st,  1811. 

"Ira  Condict,  D.D.,*  was  one  of  the  worthies  of  our  church,  not  a 
native,  but  one  of  the  truest  sons  by  adoption.  He  was  born  at  Orange, 
N.  J.,  February  21st,  1764,  the  son  of  Daniel  and  Ruth  (Harrison) 
Condict.  He  graduated  at  Princeton  College,  1784;  taught  school 
for  several  years  at  Freehold,  in  Monmouth  County,  N.  J,,  and  at  the 
same  time  studied  theology  with  Dr.  John  Woodhul;  was  licensed 
by  the  Presbytery  of  New-Brunswick,  April,  1786,  and  the  next  year 
was  ordained  as  pastor  of  the  churches  of  Newton,  Hardwick,  and 
Shappenack,  N.  J.  He  accepted  the  call  from  New-Brunswick  in 
tlie  autumn  of  1793,  In  1808  he  was  elected  vice-president  of  Queen's 
College,  iinder  Dr.  Livingston  as  president,  but  virtually  had  the 
control  of  the  institution  entirely  given  to  hira  until  the  time  of  liis 
death,  Avhich,  unfortunately  for  his  cliurch  and  the  college,  occurred 
on  June  1st,  1811.  He  preached  the  last  sermon  in  the  old  church, 
saw  it  demolished,  but  in  two  weeks,  on  the  Sabbath  day,  he  wms 
buried.  Thus  tlie  smitten  congregation  Avere  left  without  a  church  and 
without  a  pastor,  in  a  very  brief  space  of  time.  The  sorrow  occasioned 
by  his  death  was  overwlielming." 

Dr.  Cannon  says  of  him.:  "He  had  a  strong  and  athletic  frame, 
was  considerably  above  the  medium  height,  liad  dark  hair  and 
eyes,  with  an  expression  of  countenance  which  indicated  what  he 
really  possessed — a  masculine,  vigorous  intellect.  The  portrait  of  Dr. 
Bates,  the  celebrated  nonconformist  English  minister,  as  it  is  given 
in  his  works,  is  so  much  like  Dr.  Condict,  that  you  would  suppose  he 
might  have  been  Bates's  son. 

"  In  his  general  intercourse  with  society,  lie  was  more  than  com- 
monly reserved,  .  .  but  Avith  his  intimate  friends  lie  would  unbend 
in  cheerful  conversation,  though  even  with  them  lie  never  offended 
the  most  strict  ministerial  decorum. 

"  As  a  preacher.  Dr. Condict  never  had  any  remarkable  popularity,  in 
tlie  sense  of  being  run  after  by  the  multitude  ;  but  he  had  a  testimonj'- 
in  the  conscience  of  his  hearers  to  the  fidelity  and  fearlessness  witli 
which  he  delivered  his  message.  His  preaching  embraced  all  the 
great  truths  of  the  Gosj>el,  but  it  had,  perliaps,  more  to  do  with  tlie 
law  and  its  penalty  than  Avith  those  themes  which  may  be  considered 
as  peculiaily  evangelical.     He  was  rather  an  awakening  than  a  com- 

*  We  quote  from  Sprague's  Annals. 


HISTORICAL   NOTES.  215 

fortlng  preacher.  He  dwelt  much  on  tlie  importance  of  a  deep  reli- 
o-ious  experience ;  but  perhaps  was  not  accustomed  to  go  into  a  rigid 
analysis  of  those  operations  of  the  mind  in  which  such  experience 
consists.  His  sermons  were  remarkable  for  terseness  of  expression 
and  condensation  of  thought.  He  Avas  not  distinguished  either  for 
taste  or  imagination  ;  but  the  turn  of  his  n\ind  was  rather  mathe- 
matical than  metaphysical,  giving  to  his  preaching  an  argumentative 
cast,  thougli  it  did  not  render  it  obscure.  His  manner  was  stiif  and 
awkward,  and  he  used  but  little  gesture  ;  but  there  was  an  honesty  and 
an  earnestness  fitted  alike  to  arrest  the  attention  and  open  a  way  to 
the  conscience.  He  left  the  impression  on  your  mind  that  he  was 
aiming  at  a  single  object — the  glory  of  his  Master  and  the  salvation 
of  men. 

"  As  a  pastor  he  was  eminently  laborious  and  faithful.  Though  not 
remarkably  free  in  his  intercourse  with  his  people,  he  was,  in  the  best 
sense,  their  friend  ;  and  their  spiritual  interests,  especially,  were  iden- 
tified with  the  great  object  for  which  he  lived.  In  public  bodies  he 
was  discreet,  energetic,  and  influential.  His  general  influence  in  the 
community  was  extensive  and  salutary."* 

Dr.  Cannon  then  notices  how  he  heard  him  on  his  death-bed  give 
his  dying  testimony ;  it  was  simply,  "I  do  feel  that  I  love  God  above 
all."  This  he  repeated  the  second  time  after  a  short  interval.  His 
disease  was  typhus  fever.  His  son  had  died  a  few  days  before  him. 
His  remains  are  deposited  in  the  church-yard  in  ISTew-Brunswick. 
His  monument  is  inscribed,  "The  tomb  of  Rev.  Ira  Condict,  who 
was  born  February  21st,  1764;  ordained  at  Newton,  Sussex,  1787; 
installed  in  the  Dutch  Church,  New-Brunswick,  1794.  Pious  and 
leai'ned,  prudent  and  zealous;  successful  in  his  ministry  and  greatly 
beloved.  He  finished  his  course  and  entered  into  the  joy  of  his  Lord, 
June  1st,  1811." 

Dr.  Condict  was  succeeded  in  the  pastorate  of  the  church  of  New- 
Erunswick  by  Rev.  John  Schureman,  D.D,  His  call  is  dated  May 
25th,  1812.  The  people  were  in  the  midst  of  a  strenuous  effort  to 
erect  for  themselves  an  edifice  worthy  of  their  number,  wealth,  and 
position  ;  and  their  new  pastor  saw  it  completed  (except  the  steeple) 
and  dedicated  on  the  27th  of  September  of  the  same  year.  Dr.  Liv- 
ingston pi-eached  the  sermon  from  Ezek.  43:12  to  a  large  and  inte- 
rested audience. 

*  This  notice  is  abridged. 


216  HISTORICAL  NOTES. 

Dr.  Schureman  was  born  October  19th,  1Y7S,  near  New-Brunswick  ; 
and  was  the  son  of  Hon.  James  Schnreraan,  and  the  grandson  of 
Jacobus  Schureman,  tlie  schoobnaster  who  accompanied  Rev.  T.  J. 
Frelino"liuvsen  from  Holland.  He  graduated  from  Queen's  College 
September  30th,  1*795,  before  he  was  seventeen  years  of  age;  made  a 
profession  of  religion  under  Dr.  Condict,  April,  1V97,  studied  under 
Dr.  Livingston,  and  was  licensed  in  1800.  He  first  settled  at  Bed- 
minster  in  1801,  and  he  continued  to  serve  that  church  faithfully  for 
six  years.  Then  he  was  called  to  the  church  at  Millstone,  and  served 
it  for  two  and  a  half  years;  then  he  preached  in  the  collegiate 
.churches  of  New- York  for  two  years.  His  health  had  failed  in  New- 
York,  and  it  did  not  recuperate.  He  resigned  his  pastorate  at  New- 
Brunswick  after  serving  a  little  more  than  a  year,  having  been  elect- 
■ed  in  October,  1815,  professor  of  ecclesiastical  history  and  pastoral 
theology  in  the  seminary.     He  died  of  typhus  fever,  M:iy  loth,  1818. 

Dr.  Livingston  says  of  him:  "He  was  mild  and  pleasant;  discern- 
iin<T  and  firm;  steadfast,  but  not  obstinate  ;  zealous,  but  not  assuming. 
The  liabitual  weakness  of  his  constitution  prevented  him  from  close 
and  intense  studies  ;  yet  he  was  a  good  belles-lettres  scholar.  His  style 
was  correct  and  pure,  and  he  made  such  progress  in  the  several 
branches  of  his  professorship  that  his  lectures  were  highly  accept- 
.able  and  very  useful.  The  suavity  of  his  manners  and  the  propriety 
■of  his  conduct  endeared  him  to  the  students,  and  recommended  him 
.to  the  respect  and  confidence  of  all  who  knew  him." 

His  last  hours  have  been  thus  described:  "During  the  progress  of 
tlie  disease  which  terminated  in  his  death,  he  spoke  but  seldom.  The 
•disease  proceeded  with  rapid  and  irresistible  violence,  bafiling  the 
skill  of  medicine  and  the  assiduities  of  affection  ;  and,  for  the  most 
part  of  the  time,  was  attended  with  a  lethargy  which  rendered  it 
■difficult  and  irksome  for  him  to  converse.  He,  liowever,  retained  the 
use  of  his  reason,  and  on  tlie  last  afternoon,  when  the  stupor  bad 
:abated,  and  just  before  he  obtained  release,  he  attempted  to  converse 
with  his  mother,  but  his  sj^eech  failed,  and  what  he  said  could  not  be 
•understood.  His  afilicted  wife  was  too  much  overcome  to  witness  his 
departure ;  but  his  parents,  who  were  in  the  room,  he  took  affection- 
ately by  the  hand  as  soon  as  he  found  himself  to  be  in  the  agonies  of 
dissolution.  Then  waving  his  hand  and  pointing  to  the  light  in  the 
upper  part  of  the  window,  he  laughed  aloud;  thus  expressing  his  joy 
that  his  spirit  was  about  being  disengaged  from  his  carthl}''  frame, 
.and  to  wing  its  flight  to  the  regions  of  light  and  bliss,  just  like  a  bird 


HISTOKICAL   NOTES.  217 

that,  tired  of  its  cage,  claps  its  wings  when  about  to  be  set  at  liberty. 
With  one  eye  on  death  and  one  fixed  on  heaven,  he  seemed  to  say  in 
the  moment  of  expiring.  Now  that  God  has  given  nie  the  wings  of  a 
dove,  I  will  tly  away  and  be  at  rest." 

He  was  vice-president  of  Queen's  College  at  the  time  of  his  death, 
and  had  had  the  degree  of  D.D.  conferred  on  him  by  Columbia  Col- 
lege in  181G.  Dr.  Van  Vranken  has  written  an  admirable  sketch  of 
his  life  and  character  for  Sprague's  Annals,  to  which  we  refei-.  His 
remains  were  interred  in  the  cemetery  connected  with  the  church  in 
New-Brunswick,  and  on  his  tomb  is  engi-aved :  "  Beneath  this  stone 
are  deposited  the  remains  of  Rev.  John  Schureman,  D.D.,  Professor 
of  Pastoral  Theology,  Ecclesiastical  History,  and  Church  Government 
in  the  Theological  Seminary  of  the  Reformed  Dutch  Church  at  New- 
Brunswick,  who,  while  engaged  in  a  course  of  active  and  highlj^  use- 
ful labors,  enjoying  the  confidence  of  the  churches  and  the  affection 
of  his  brethren,  departed  this  life  May  15th,  1818,  in  the  40th  year  of 
his  age." 

The  same  year,  October  2d,  1818,  the  church  called  Rev.  Jesse 
Fonda.  He  was  called  from  Nassau,  Rensselaer  County,  New-York. 
His  pnstorate  was  brief.  He  resigned  on  the  3d  July,  1810,  and  ac- 
cepted a  call  from  Montgomery,  Orange  County,  where  he  continued 
until  May  2'2d,  1827,  when  he  died  and  entered  into  his  rest. 

Jesse  Fonda,  says  Dr.  Forsyth,  was  born  at  Watervliet,  Albany 
County,  N.  Y.,  April  27th,  178G  ;  he  graduated  at  Union  College,  1806. 
He  was  the  subject  of  religious  impressions  from  his  youth,  and  very 
early  formed  the  desire  to  preach  the  Gospel.  He  studied  theology 
in  a  desultory  way  with  neighboring  clergymen,  and  received  his 
licensure  Ironi  the  Congregationalists,  but  in  1808  united  witli  the 
Chassis  of  Albany,  and  received  a  call  from' the  church  of  Nassau  and 
Schodack,  where  he  continued  to  labor  with  great  acceptance  until 
he  went  to  New-Brunswick.  He  bound  himself  by  resolution  to  a 
course  of  regular,  systematic  study,  and  rose  to  eminence.  His  book 
on  jSacrffments  evinces  maturity  of  mind  and  a  fullness  of  know- 
ledge on  the  subject  of  which  it  treats.  His  physical  man  was  very 
fine,  an<l  his  social  qualities  companionable  and  interesting.  His  mi- 
nistry, at  Montgomery  particularly,  was  eminently  successful.  Three 
hundred  were  added  to  the  church  on  profession  of  faith  in  ten 
years,  while  the  spiritual  life  of  the  ciuirch  was  greatly  quickened,  and 
the  Avhole  moral  aspect  of  that  region  changed.  His  remains  were 
followed  to  the  grave  by  an  immense  crowd  of  weeping  parishioners 


218  HISTOEICAL  NOTES. 

and  friends,  at  tlie  head  of  which  walked  nine  ministers  of  the  Gos- 
pel. The  funeral  sermon  was  preached  by  his  friend  and  neighbor, 
Rev.  James  B.  Ten  Eyck,  of  Berea,  assisted  by  Dr.  Fisk,  of  Goslien, 
Rev.  Samuel  Van  Veghten  and  Rev.  Mr.  Arbuckle,  of  Blooming 
Grove,  and  Dr.  Wallace,  of  Little  Britain. 

The  attention  of  the  congregation  of  New-Brunswick,  upon  Mr. 
Fonda's  resignation,  was  at  once  directed  to  John  Ludlow,  then  a 
young  man  just  from  the  seminary;  and  they  presented  him  their 
call,  dated  September  l7th,  1819.  At  first  he  declined  it, fearing  the 
onerous  duties  of  siich  a  charge ;  but  on  receiving  from  consistory 
liberty  to  preach  only  one  sermon  on  the  Sabbath  and  to  be  exempt 
from  pastoral  duty  for  one  year,  he  accepted ;  but  his  ardor  led  him 
to  break  through  liis  own  stipulations  almost  at  once.  He  continued 
his  services  only  two  years,  and  then  accepted  the  Professorship  of 
Biblical  literature  and  church  history  in  the  seminary.  After  s])end- 
ing  six  years  in  the  duties  of  his  professorship,  he  accepted  a  call 
from  the  First  Church  in  Albany,  in  1823,  where  he  continued  until 
1834,  when  he  was  chosen  Provost  of  the  University  of  Pennsylvania. 
In  1852,  he  returned  to  New-Brunswick,  to  occupy  his  original  posi- 
tion in  the  seminary,  and  died  in  1859. 

John  Ludlow  was  born  at  Acquackanonk,  Bergen  County,  N.  J.,  in 
1*793.  He  graduated  at  Union  College  in  the  class  of  1814,  and  was 
at  once  chosen  tutor.  He  studied  theology  during  his  tutorsliip 
with  Rev.  Dr.  Andrew  Yates  ;  but  graduated  from  the  seminary  in 
New-Brunswick  in  1817,  and  was  innnediately  licensed  by  theClassis 
of  New-Brunswick. 

Dr.  Bethune  says  of  him:  "His  most  striking  characteristic  was 
strength.  His  person  was  strong.  His  countenance  was  strong.  The 
lines  of  decision  and  thought  were  deeply  traced  on  his  fixce ;  his  eye 
clear  and  almost  stern,  and  his  whole  expression  so  settled  and  firm, 
even  in  early  years,  that  there  seemed  but  little  change  effected  by 
time,  care,  and  years." 

His  voice  was  strong.  In  his  ordinary  tones  he  filled  the  largest 
audience-room  of  any  church ;  but  when  he  became  warm  in  the  dis- 
cussion of  his  subject,  it  rose  topower,  and  when  it  burst  forth  under 
the  force  of  excitement,  it  was  like  thunder  crashing  through  the 
clouds.  And  this  was  only  the  breaking  forth  of  the  power  of  his 
intellect  and  his  affections  ;  for  he  had  a  great  heart  beating  in  the 
bosom  of  that  robust  frame. 


HISTORICAL   NOTES.  219 

He  was  strong  more  than  cultivated;  a  forcible  tliinkcr  more  than 
a  polished  scholar  or  rhetorician.  He  forced  his  conclusions  upon 
you,  rather  than  by  his  logic  or  argument,  winning  you  to  embrace 
them.  And  yet  he  had  logic  and  rhetoric  in  abundance,  and  he 
often  made  the  very  best  use  of  them  in  his  discourses.  The  pre- 
dominating element  of  his  whole  character,  however,  was  power. 
When  you  thought  of  Dr.  Ludlow  you  thought  of  a  strong,  vigorous, 
forcible  man. 

His  pastorate  in  Albany  was  successful,  and  he  commanded  a 
Avide  influence.  No  one  thought  him  below  any  of  his  eminent  and 
gifted  predecessors.  He  preached  the  Gospel  in  its  distinctive  fea- 
tures, and  saw  the  fruits  of  his  labors  ;  and  yet  he  was  by  nature  best 
fitted  for  a  teacher.  In  the  professor's  chair,  surrounded  by  young 
men,  he  was  most  at  home.  He  seemed  to  feel  a  certain  kind  of  in- 
terest and  pride  in  giving  them  instruction,  moulding  their  minds  and 
fitting  them  for  usefulness. 

Dr.  Ludlow  never  published  any  thing  beyond  an  occasional  dis- 
course or  pamphlet.  He  seemed  to  be  averse  to  it.  Had  he  written 
and  published,  he  would  have  left  in  his  writings  evidence  of  his 
strength,  to  prove  the  justness  of  the  estimate  formed  of  him. 

When  he  returned  to  the  seminary  the  second  time  he  came  as 
successor  to  Dr.  Cannon.  It  is  enough  to  say  that  he  filled  the  jjlace 
left  vacant  to  the  perfect  satisfaction  of  all.  But  his  life  was  nearly 
■spent.  In  five  years  the  chair  was  again  vacant.  He  died  in  his  resi- 
dence in  the  west  wing  of  the  college.  The  inscription  on  his  tombstone 
reads:  "This  monument  is  erected  by  the  General  Synod  of  the 
Dutch  Reformed  Church  to  the  memory  of  the  Rev.  John  Ludlow, 
D.D.,  LL.D.,  Professor  of  Ecclesiastical  History,  Church  Government, 
and  Pastoral  Theology  in  the  Seminary  of  New-Brunswick;  and 
Pi-ofessor  of  Metaphysics  in  Rutgers  College.  Died  September 
8th,  1857,  in  the  64th  year  of  his  age."  As  pastor  of  the  churches  of 
New-Brunsw^ick  and  Albany,  as  Provost  of  the  University  of  Penn- 
sylvania, and  as  professor  in  the  seminary,  he  discharged  his  various 
offices  with  singular  fidelity,  ability,  and  success.  Of  solid  learninc:, 
distinguished  force  of  character,  and  ardent  piety,  he  exerted  a  com- 
manding influence  in  the  councils  of  the  church,  and  by  arduous  per- 
sonal services  eminently  contributed  to  establish  and  strengthen  the 
foundations  of  these  institutions. 

As  he  had  lived,  he  died — strong  in  faith,  giving  glory  to  God. 

In  the  pastorate  of  the  church  of  New-Brunswick,  Dr.  Ludlow's 


220  HISTORICAL   NOTES. 

successor  was  the  candidate  Isaac  Ferris.  lie  was  born  in  tlie  city  of 
New-Yorlc,  graduated  at  Columbia  College  in  1S16,  and  at  the  semi- 
nary in  1820,  and  was  immediately  licensed  by  the  Classis  of  New- 
Brunswick.  The  first  summer  lie  spent  as  a  missionary  along  the 
MohaAvk,  preaching  at  Manheim,  Herkimer,  Danube,  and  Osquak. 
His  call  to  New-Briinswick  is  dated  January  21st,  1821.  He  was 
ordained  and  installed  pastor  of  the  church  on  the  third  Tliursday 
in  April.  He  continued  to  serve  the  church  with  acceptance  until 
October,  1824,  when  he  Avas  dismissed  to  take  charge  of  the  Second 
Churcli  in  Albany,  made  vacant  by  the  election  of  its  pastor,  Rev. 
John  De  Witt,  D.D.,  to  Dr,  Ludlow's  place  in  the  seminary.  He 
labored  in  Albany  from  1824  to  1836,  and  in  the  mean  time  made 
the  tour  of  Europe  for  his  health.  In  1836,  he  became  pastor  of  the 
Market  Street  Church  in  tlie  city  of  New-York.  In  1853,  he  was 
chosen  chancellor  of  the  Univei'sity  of  New-York,  retired  in  1862, 
and  resides  at  present  at  Roselle,  New-Jersey. 

The  successor  of  Dr.  Ferris  Avas  the  Hev.  James  B.  Hardenbergh. 
He  Avas  called  April  2d,  1825.  He  Avas  born  near  Rochester,  Ulster 
County,  New-York;  graduated  at  Union  College  in  the  class  of  1821 ; 
was  a  convert  in  the  revival  in  the  college  in  the  Avinter  of  1819-20. 
Studied  in  the  Theological  Seminary  at  New-BrunsAvick,  and  gradu- 
ated and  secured  his  license  in  May,  1824.  Almost  immediately  he 
received  and  accepted  a  call  from  the  church  of  Helderberg,  in  the 
county  of  Albany,  bat  continued  there  only  one  year,  having  received 
a  call  to  New-BrunsAvick  as  Dr.  Ferris's  successor.  He  remained  in 
New-Brunswick  from  1825  until  1829,  when  he  Avas  transferred  to 
Orchard  street,  in  the  city  of  New-York.  From  thence,  in  1829,  he 
removed  to  Rhinebeck,  then  to  Philadelphia  in  1836,  and  again  to 
Franklin  street,  NcAV-York,  in  1840.  From  1856  he  Avas  Avithout 
a  charge,  and  died  in  the  city  of  New-York. 

In  the  church  at  New-Brunswick,  tAvo  months  after  Dr.  Ilarden- 
bergh's  resignation,  the  Rev.  Jacob  J.  Jane  way,  D.D.,  Avas  called. 
The  call  is  dated  February  23d,  1830.  We  quote  from  Dr.  Steele's 
historical  discourse:  "  Dr.  Janeway,  prcA'ious  to  his  settlement  over 
this  congregation,  liad  occupied  some  of  the  most  prominent  positions 
in  the  Presbyterian  Church,  and  at  the  date  of  his  call  had  just  re- 
signed the  professorship  of  theologj'"  in  the  Western  Theological 
Seminary,  in  Allegheny  Cit)^  Pa.  He  Avas  not  installed  iintil  May 
26th,  although  he  assutned  the  charge  of  the  pulpit  early  in  the 
spring.     The  church  now  felt  that  they  had  secured  a  pastor  of  mid- 


HISTORICAL   NOTES.  221 

die  acjc,  wlio  could  long  remain  among  tliem,  and  give  his  ripe  experi- 
ence and  sound  instruct-ion  to  the  upbuilding  and  establishment  of  the 
congregation.  He  came  to  them  with  a  well-furnished  mind,  a  large 
stock  of  experience,  thoroughly  orthodox  in  his  sentiments,  and  at 
once,  though  he  had  spent  liis  whole  ministerial  life  in  the  Presby- 
terian Church,  identified  himself  with  all  tiie  interests  of  our  denomi- 
nation. Indeed,  he  was  only  returning  to  his  home.  His  parents 
were  members  of  the  Collegiate  Church  in  New-York,  into  whose 
communion  he  was  also  received  on  confession  of  his  faith,  after 
graduating  at  Columbia  College,  His  theological  studies  were  pur- 
sued under  Dr.  Livingston,  for  wliom  he  cherislied  an  unbounded 
reverence,  first  as  his  pastor,  then  as  his  instructor,  and  through  life 
as  his  cherished  friend." 

The  expectation  of  the  church  that  the  ministry  of  Dr.  Janeway 
was  to  be  of  long  continuance  was  to  be  disappointed.  Tlie  extent 
of  the  congregation,  the  amount  of  labor  incident  to  a  great  country 
and  city  charge,  induced  him  to  I'esign.  "The  dissolution  of  his 
pastoral  connection  was  effected  P^'ebruary  24tli,  1831,  after  lie  had 
served  only  one  year."  It  was  a  great  disappointment.  He  went  to 
Nevy'-York  for  a  short  s])ace,  but  returned  to  New-Brunswick,  became 
vice-president  of  Rutgers  College,  taught  logic  and  metaphysics  for  a 
time ;  but  returned  to  the  Presbyterian  Church  again,  and  died  on 
Sabbath,  June  27th,  1858,  just  before  the  setting  of  the  sun.  His 
funeral  sermon  was  preached  by  Rev.  Dr.  Hodge,  of  Princeton.  A 
memoir  of  Dr.  Janeway,  by  his  soil,  was  published  in  1861,  to  which 
we  can  now  only  refer  our  readers  who  are  desirous  of  accurate  in- 
formation. 

In  1857,  the  health  of  Dr.  Janeway  began  to  be  serioush^  affected. 
By  the  advice  of  his  physician  he  was  induced  to  give  himself  rest 
from  the  studies  ^\hich  he  had  up  to  this  time  been  pursuing.  He 
rallied  for  a  time,  but  not  eflectively.  A  week  before  the  final  attack 
he  laid  down  his  pen  and  said,  "  iMy  work  is  done.  I  had  a  warning 
from  God  when  I  first  arose,  but  was  anxious  to  complete  what  is 
wi'itten.  God  has  permitted  me  to  do  it,  and  I  have  nothing  moie  to 
do."  On  Sabbath,  January  olst,  he  went  to  his  bed,  but  lingered 
there  five  weary  months,  and  then  died.  On  his  tomb  is  found  this 
brief  inscription:  "  Rev.  Jacob  J.  Janeway,  D.D.,  born  November  20th, 
1774  ;  died  June  27th,  1858." 

The  successor  of  Dr.  Janeway  was  Rev.  Samuel  B.  How,  called 
May  18th,  1832.     He  came  from  the  Presbyterian  Church,  where  he 


222  HISTORICAL   NOTES. 

liad  been  a  laborious  and  efficient  pastor  for  several  years.  He  was 
born  in  the  city  of  Burlington,  New-Jersey;  graduated  from  the  Uni- 
versity of  Pennsylvania  in  1811,  and  from  the  Princeton  Theological 
Seminary  in  1813.  His  first  settlement  was  at  Salisbury,  in  Penn- 
sylvania, from  1813  to  1815.  Then  he  became  the  pastor  of  the  First 
Presbyterian  church  of  Trenton  until  1821,  when  he  came  as  pastor 
to  the  Presbyterian  church  in  New-Brunswick;  remaining  for  two 
years.  In  1823,  he  accepted  a  call  from  an  independent  church  in 
Savannah,  Georgia,  and  remained  in  the  South  until  1827.  He  labored 
then  as  a  missionary  in  North  street,  New-York,  endeavoring  to  raise 
up  a  new  congregation  under  the  Board  of  Domestic  Missions  of  the 
Reformed  Dutch  Church;  then  he  became  president  of  Dickinson 
College  ;  but  returned  finally  to  New-Brunswick  on  a  call  from  the 
Dutch  church,  and  labored  there  for  twenty-one  years.  His  health, 
failed,  and  he  resigned  in  1861,  and  died  in  1868.  Dr.  How  was  a 
scholar  and  a  polished  gentleman,  old  school  in  his  theology ;  a 
doctrinal,  but  energetic  preacher.  He  naturally  venerated  tlie  past 
and  loved  to  read  tlie  writings  of  the  reformers.  He  loved  them  so 
much  that  he  had  no  patience — perhaps  this  was  a  fault — witli  pi-e- 
tensions  to  new  things.  When  the  discussion  on  slavery  opened,  he 
took  the  ground  that  in  itself  it  was  not  sinful.  He  had  been  in  the 
South,  and  sympathized  with  the  Christian  people  there.  He  knew 
well  how  conscientious  and  beautiful  the  character  of  many  of  them 
was ;  and  it  revolted  all  his  feelings  of  justice  and  propriety  to  hear 
tlie  bitter  denunciations  heaped  upon  them  by  men  who  were  not 
wortliy  to  unloose  the  latchet  of  their  shoes;  and  like  a  noble  man, 
as  he  was,  he  defended  them  earnestly  and  like  a  Christian  gentle- 
man. 

Dr.  How  was  a  ripe  and  cultivated  scholar.  His  reading  was  ex- 
tensive, and  his  classical  and  belles-lettres  attainments  eminent.  He 
was  a  powerful  preacher,  and  gave  to  his  hearers  the  very  marrow 
and  fatness  of  the  Gospel. 

During  his  ministry  in  New-Brunswick  the  church  was  blessed 
with  a  most  gracious  and  glorious  revival,  the  result  of  whicli  was 
the  addition  of  137  individuals  to  the  communion  of  his  church;  and 
more  than  500  in  all  the  churches  in  the  city.  Dr.  Hoav  wrote  and 
published  an  account  of  it,  in  which  he  says  for  several  years  pre- 
vious it  (the  church)  had  been  peaceful  and  prosperous,  and  had 
steadily  improved  in  its  spiritual  interests.  The  events  which  he 
thinks  tended  to  prepare  the  way  for  tlie  deep  religious  imj^ressions 


HISTOlilCAL   NOTES.  223 

whicli  resulted  in  that  gracious  work  were  tlio  cliolera  in  1832,  and 
tlie  tornado  which  swept  tliroug-li  the  city  in  June,  1835,  hiving 
wliole  streets  in  ruins  and  destroying  several  lives.  "In  May,  1839, 
the  whole  congregation  seemed  to  be  affected  with  a  religious  awe ; 
religious  meetings  hegan  to  be  thronged,  conversions  became  nu- 
merous, and  the  whole  city  was  moved  to  think  and  to  pray;  and 
yet  there  was  no  confusion,  no  disorder,  no  wild,  misguided  zeal — all 
"was  serious,  solemn,  calm,  devout,  and  affecting."  It  was  indeed  a 
blessed  work  ;  a  pure  revival  of  religion  in  Christian  hearts,  accom- 
panied by  the  effectual  conversion  of  many  souls  to  God. 

Dr.  How  resigned  his  call  in  the  end  solely  on  account  of  failing 
health  and  physical  infirmities,  June  14th,  1861.  Rest  seemed  at 
first  to  revive  him  ;  he  preached  occasionally,  but  finally  he  rested 
from  his  labors,  falling  asleep  in  Jesus  on  the  1st  day  of  March,  1868. 

The  following  inscription  is  engraved  on  his  tomb : 

Rev.  Samuel  B.  How,  D.D. 

Born  at  Burlington,  New-Jersey,  October  14tli,  in  tlie  year  of  our  Lord  1795, 

died  at  New-Brunswick,  New-Jersey,  March  1st,  A.D.  18G8. 

Beloved  and  lamented. 

Erected  by  the  congregation  in  memory  of  their  former  beloved  pastor. 

Tlie  Rev.  R.  H.  Steele  became  his  successor,  and  still  continues  to 
serve  the  church  with  comfort  to  himself  and  profit  to  the  people. 


SIX-MILE    RUN. 

Ix  early  days  the  first  inhabitants  in  the  district  of  Six-Mile  Run 
worshiped  in  the  church  at  Three-Mile  Run,  and  formed  a  constituent 
portion  of  that  congregation.  On  the  12tli  day  of  April,  1717,  at  a 
congregational  meeting  convened  in  that  church,  it  was  resolved, 
"in  order  to  prevent  disturbance  and  contention,  and  thereby  to  es- 
tablish peace  in  the  church,"  first,  that  the  church  edifice  should 
belong  to  the  church  of  Lawrence  Brook,  (New-Brunswick  ;)  and 
secondly,  and  the  most  important  to  the  interests  of  the  pooj)le  at  Six- 
jVfih^  Run,  "that  Pieter  Kinne  be  appointed  elder  and  Elbert  Stoot- 
hoff  deacon  for  that  i)art  of  the  congregation  which  Avas  near  Six- 
Mile  Run."  This  is  properly  the  origin  and  organization  of  the  Six- 
Mile  Run  chur(;h.  The  action  grew  out  of  the  natural  course  of 
things.  A  town  had  grown  up  around  "the  Ferry"  and  along  the 
river,  and  its  interests  and  convenience  required  public  n^ligious 
services  there.     It  had  come  to  pass  that  the  building  at  Three-Mile 


224  HISTORICAL    NOTES. 

Run  was  mislocated,  and  both  the  eastern  and  western  portions  of 
the  congregation  were  no  longer  properly  accommodated  by  the  ser- 
vices held  in  that  house.  It  was  j^rompted,  also,  by  other  things. 
Arrangements  were  in  contemplation  to  obtain  a  minister  to  preach 
the  Gospel  to  all  the  settlements  in  Somerset  County,  and  as  early  as 
the  next  year  they  were  perfected,  and  a  call  sent  to  Holland  to 
obtain  such  a  jjerson.  In  this  action  Six-Mile  Run  was  associated 
with  Raritan,  North-Branch,  and  Three-Mile  Run,  or,  as  it  was 
already  called,  "  the  Church  of  the  River  and  Lawrence  Brook."  This 
call  brought  T.  J.  Frelinghuysen  from  Holland. 

Another  part  of  the  resolution  referred  to  contemplated  the  erec- 
tion of  a  cliurch  edifice  for  the  accommodation  of  the  people  set  off 
from  Three-Mile  Run,  and  arrangements  were  begun  immediately 
to  effect  this  work.  The  house  thus  built  was  located  on  the  road 
running  along  the  south  side  of  the  Six-Mile  Run  brook — a  mile  east 
of  the  present  church.  It  was  a  plain  building,  fronting  the  road, 
and  longer  in  front  than  in  depth,  with  a  place  for  the  pulpit  oppo- 
site the  fi'ont  door,  and  resembled  a  barn  more  than  it  did  any  thing 
now  called  a  church.  It  was  never  finished,  having  sinipl}^  weather- 
boarding,  a  roof,  and  a  floor,  and  instead  of  seats,  the  people  used 
the  chaii's  from  their  wagons,  or  else  stood  during  service.  The 
exact  date  of  its  erection  can  not  now  be  ascertained,  but  it  was  pro- 
bably soon  after  the  meeting  in  1717  noticed  above.  It  was,  after 
the  Three-Mile  Run  church,  the  first  in  that  vicinity,  and  continued 
to  be  the  place  of  public  worship  until  1766.  The  present  register 
of  baptisms  at  Six-Mile  Run  commences  1787.  The  minutes  of  con- 
sistory, with  the  first  register,  were  burnt  in  the  house  of  David 
Nevius,  Esq.,  clerk  of  consistory,  in  1796.  The  loss  is  irreparable, 
and  cuts  us  off  from  a  knowledge  of  many  things  in  the  history  of 
this  cliurch  previous  to  this  date  which  might  have  been  important 
and  interesting. 

The  following  names  embrace  the  heads  of  families  in  Six-Mile 
Run  during  the  time  of  T.  J.  Frelinghuysen:  Koert  Van  Voorhees, 
Isaac  Haenrooncot,  J.  Perrine,  Cornelis  Cornel,  R.  Merril,  Peter 
Schenck,  Gerret  Veghten,  Isaac  Symonse,  Hendrik  Van  Dyke,  Jako- 
bus  Van  Voorhees,  Tobias  Nevius,  Aric  Van  Arsdalen,  Jakobus 
Strycker,  Cornelis  Van  Arsdalen,  Abram  Van  Arsdalen,  Jeremias 
Douty,  Theodorus  Montfort,  Fredrik  Van  Lieuw,  Jan  Pijet,  Jesse 
Van  Arsdalen,  Jochem  Gulick,  Elbert  Stothoff,  Cornelis  Tunise, 
Johannes    Stryker,  Fredrik    Ferdon,  Jacobus    Wyckoft",   Abraham 


HISTORICAL   NOTES.  225 

Vanrlorcn,  Benjamin  Tailor,  Christofel  Van  Arsdalen,  Martynu3 
Voorhees,  Jan  Van  Voorliees,  Niclilos  Veghten,  Daniel  Van  Vleet, 
Samuel  Polen,  Albert  Sclienk,  Lucus  Van  Voorhees,  Marten  Polen, 
Johannis  Vonk,  John  Van  Arsdalen,  Ciirist.  Davidts,  Nys  Hagaman, 
Jan  Fyne,  Cor.  StothofF,  E.  Suydain,  Johannes  Bennet,  Cornells 
Wyckoft",  Alexander  Beert,  Dirck  Williamse,  Jan  Sutphin,  Ilendrik 
Schenk. 

From  1720  to  1748  the  history  of  the  church  at  Six-Mile  Run  is 
largely  involved  in  the  other  churches  forming  Mr.  Frelinghuysen's 
associate  charge.  It  shared  in  tlic  prosperity  produced  by  his  evan- 
gelical preaching,  and  also  in  the  sentiments  of  opposition  created  by 
it.  All  that  will  probably  ever  be  known  of  the  occasion,  the  ani- 
mus, and  the  unfortunate  influence  of  these  difficulties,  has  already 
been  related  in  other  connections,  or  will  be  as  we  pass  in  review  the 
history  of  the  other  churches.  We  know,  at  least,  of  nothing  re- 
quiring special  attention  in  this  connection  except  that,  on  the  19th 
of  May,  1734,  Rev.  Vincentius  Antonides,  of  Long  Island,  lent  him- 
self to  the  encouragement  of  Mr.  Frelinghuysen's  opponents  in  a 
most  irregular  and  improper  way,  by  ordaining  a  consistory  for 
Three-Mile  Run,  some  of  whom  were  residents  in  Six-Mile  Run  con- 
gregation. The  elders  of  this  consistory  were  Simon  Wyckoft"  and 
Hendrick  Vroom,  and  the  deacons,  Simon  Van  Wincklen  and  Den- 
nis Van  Dnyn.  This  movement  was  connected  with  the  design  of 
calling  another  minister  from  Holland  to  serve  the  dissenting  party, 
which  we  have  already  noticed  in  our  account  of  the  church  of  New- 
Brunswick.  They  were  very  much  scandalized  by  its  being  said  that 
Rev.  W.  Budde  had  "  lifted  up  his  hands  to  heaven,"  when  inlbrraed 
of  the  course  of  those  who  opposed  the  Coetus,  especially  the  eftort 
to  settle  Fryenraoct  at  the  North-Branch. 

When  Frelinghuysen  died,  in  1748,  Six-Mile  Run  united  with  New- 
Brunswick  (as  the  church  then  had  begun  to  be  called)  in  making  a 
call  on  the  candidate  Johannes  Leydt,  and  again  her  history  is  in- 
volved in  this  associated  charge  for  thirty-five  years,  bringing  us  to 
the  date  of  his  death. 

In  John  Frelinghuysen's  time  the  following  additional  names  of 
families  occur:  Joseph  Folkerse,  Benjamin  Emans,  Johannes  Wyt- 
neght,  Nicholas  Boerum,  Nicklas  Willemse,  Lamert  Dorlandt,  Jo- 
hannes Pouelse,  Gerret  Veghten,  Nicolas  Jonsen,  Peter  Van  Zandt, 
James  Pruyn,  Abraham  Lott,  Johannes  Vonk,  Bergun  l^roka,  Mar- 
tyies  Ilooglandt,   Cornelius   Van  Houten,  Peter  Van  Nest,  Leftert 


226  HISTORICAL    NOTES. 

Wuldron,  Johannes  Van  Pelt,  Jan  Sperling,  Rem  Gerretse,  Jonitan 
Stout,  Jan  Vanderveer,  Abraham  Riemer,  Jacobus  Leek,  Isaac  Sne- 
diker,  Ilendrik  Cortelyou,  Peter  Berrien,  Peter  Pomyea,  Jan  Harri- 
son, William  Van  Tilburgli,  Petrus  Nevius,  Jost  Duryea,  Jurias  Van 
Cleef,  Michal  Van  Buren,  Alexander  Beert,  Abram  Simonson,  Jan 
Terhunen,  Corns.  De  Han,  William  Dannelsen,  Abram  Van  Doren, 
Jacobus  Vandervoort,  Syme  Kinne,  Jokem  Gulick,  Corns,  Van  Han- 
gelen,  Joseph  Brouwer,  Isaac  Snediker,  Jonathan  Provost,  Peter 
Juricks,  Ferdinandus  Schureman,  Johannes  Groenendyke,  Johannes 
Coevert.* 

During  the  pastorate  of  Leydt,  in  1766,  Six-Mile  Run  built  a  new 
church,  and  located  it  in  the  village,  a  few  yards  south  of  the  Somer- 
set court-house.  This  court-house  was  erected  previous  to  the  year 
1V24,  and  the  courts  of  Somerset  County  were  held  in  it  until  1752 
or  later,  and  then  Millstone  became  the  county  seat.  The  exact 
time  of  the  transfer  is  not  ascertained,  but  it  was  made  previous  to 
1766. 

The  church  in  its  form  and  size  was  like  that  in  the  city  of  New- 
Brunswick  in  Dr.  Condict's  time,  a  picture  of  which  is  given  in 
Steele's  Memorial,  page  94.  It  was  inclosed  with  sliingles  and 
painted  red,  except  the  front,  which  was  while.  It  was  ceiled  with 
boards  and  never  painted  inside.  Its  roof  liad  four  sides,  terminating 
in  a  cupola,  on  which  a  cock  was  elevated  as  the  vane.  It  stood 
until  the  year  1817,  when  it  was  removed  to  make  room  for  the 
present  church  edifice.  A  beautiful  and  interesting  scene  was  en- 
acted over  the  raising.  The  frame  was  prepared  in  a  grove  150 
yards  distant.  The  plate  on  the  south-east  side  was  carried  by  the 
young  ladies  of  the  congregation — all  dressed  in  white,  with  their 
parasols  over  their  heads — from  the  grove,  and  laid  in  its  place 
beside  the  foundation,  to  be  put  in  its  place  by  the  j^eople  who  were 
raising  the  other  parts  of  the  frame.  It  was  an  appropriate  expres- 
sion of  tlic  deep  interest  they  felt  in  the  erection  of  the  house  in 
which  God  was  to  be  worshiped  and  Christianity  preached. 

In  1753,  June  7tli — principally  tlirough  the  influence  of  Rev.  Mr. 
Leydt — a  charter  was  procured  from  Jonathan  Belcher,  Governor  of 
New-Jersey,  for  the  five  united  churches,  New-Brunswick,  Raritan, 
Six-Mile  Run,  Millstone,  and  North-Branch.     It  does  not  seem,  how- 


*  We  owe  these  lists  to  Ralph  Voorliees,  Esq.,  of  Middlebusb,  whose  extensive 
researches  have  brought  olden  things  to  light  in  various  ways. 


HISTORICAL   NOTES.  227 

ever,  ever  to  liave  Leeii  really  put  iu  force.     We  give  a  copy  in  the 
appendix. 

Leydt's  death,  in  l783,  brings  us  to  the  close  of  the  lievolution.  It 
resulted  in  producing  a  change  in  both  the  congregations  of  which 
he  had  been  pastor. 

New-Brunswick  now  ventured  on  the  attempt  to  maintain  a  2:)astor 
for  lierself  alone,  and  left  Six-Mile  E-un  to  seek  a  connection  with 
Millstone,  which  had  taken  the  name  of  New-Millstone,  but  finally 
Ilillsboro,  and  had  been  occasionally  sup2)lied  by  Leydt  and  Ilarden- 
bergli  from  New-Brunswick.  Tiieu  they  had  the  whole  services  of 
Mr.  Foering,  and  for  a  short  time  those  of  Solomon  Froeligh.  This 
union,  again,  grew  out  of  natural  causes.  Tlie  congregations  were 
contisfuous.  The  war  had  wasted  the  sti'ength  and  resources  of 
both,  and  neither  felt  able  to  maintain  a  pastor  alone.  The  agree- 
ment included  an  equal  proportion  of  the  money  and  of  the  services, 
only  Six-Mile  Run  stipulated  that  two  thirds  of  tlie  services  should 
be  in  the  Dutch  language  and  one  third  in  the  English,  while  Mill- 
stone alternated,  having  an  equal  one  half  of  each.  The  call  was 
given  to  John  M.  Van  Ilarlingen,  a  native  of  Millstone,  a  son  of  Mr. 
Ernestus  Van  Harlingen,  the  brother  of  the  pastor  of  the  same 
name,  who  had  been  settled  at  Harlingen  or  Sourland.  He  was  born 
in  1761,  graduated  at  Queen's  College  in  1783,  studied  theology 
under  Dr.  Livingston,  and  was  licensed  in  1786.  He  continued  in 
this  united  charge,  residing  in  the  village  of  Millstone  until  1795, 
The  writer  has  the  recollection  of  once  seeing  and  hearing  Mr.  Van 
Harlingen  preach.  He  was  a  thin,  spare  man,  rather  below  the 
ordinai'y  stature,  spoke  in  a  fine  but  feeble  voice,  kept  his  eyes 
fixedly  on  the  Bible  before  him,  but  had  no  manuscript  to  read,  and 
never  made  a  single  gesture  during  the  whole  time  of  the  delivery  of 
his  sermon.  A  relative  of  his  has  written  of  him  to  the  following 
effect:  "From  early  childhood  it  is  said  he  was  exceedingly  fond  of 
books,  and  spent  most  of  his  life  in  their  exclusive  society.  After 
the  relinquishment  of  his  first  united  charges  he  never  settled  again, 
although  he  labored  abundantly  in  assisting  his  brethren  and  supply- 
ing vacant  pulpits  by  classical  appointments.  He  was  very  quiet 
and  reserved  in  liis  dispositior),  and  was  seldom  known  to  laugh  or 
even  to  smile.  His  conversation  was  instructive,  and  his  preaching 
solid  and  evangelical,  but  not  popular.  After  his  retirement  from 
the  pastorate  he  translated  Van  der  Kemp's  sermons  on  the  Heidel- 
bergh  Catechism,   which   were  published  in  1810  in   two  volumes. 


228  HISTORICAL   NOTES. 

For  several  years  previous  to  the  establisliment  of  the  tlieological 
professorate  at  New-Brunswick  he  liad  been  accustomed  to  receive 
young  men  at  his  residence,  and  instruct  them  in  Hebrew  and  eccle- 
siastical history,  with  a  view  to  their  licensure.  In  1812,  the  General 
Synod  appointed  him  professor  of  those  branches  in  the  theological 
seminary.  He  accepted  the  chair  of  Hebrew,  and  agreed  to  instruct 
temporarily  in  church  history;  but  iiis  career  of  usefulness  was  cut 
short  by  death  June  16th,  1813,  in  the  fifty-second  year  of  his  age, 
and  lie  was  buried  in  the  yard  adjoining  the  Millstone  church.  His 
loss  was  deeply  felt  by  tlie  church  and  her  institutions  of  learning." 
—P.  D.  V.  C. 

He  is  said  to  have  been  an  industrious  student,  and  extensively 
read  in  the  science  of  tlieology.  Ilis  sermons  were  well  arranged 
and  full  of  important  thought,  but  his  mode  of  delivering  tliem  pre- 
vented them  from  making  any  deep  impression  at  the  time.  He 
spoke  almost  as  if  he  was  unconscious  of  tlie  presence  of  his  audi- 
ence, or,  rather,  his  diffidence  was  so  extreme  as  to  prevent  him 
from  looking  them  in  their  faces.  Tlie  result  was  that,  although 
Christians  heard  him  patiently,  and  sometimes  even  with  pleasure, 
those  who  did  not  share  in  tlieir  feelings  of  reverence  for  religion  and 
love  for  the  truth  did  not  feel  themselves  to  iiave  been  much  pro- 
fited. Yet  his  ministry  was  blessed  evidently,  and  that  blessing  is 
attested  by  the  number  who  united  with  the  church,  on  confession  of 
their  faith,  in  both  his  congregations. 

Tlie  Rev.  Dr.  I.  N.  Wyckoft"  says:  "I  remember  Mr.  Van  Harlin- 
gen  as  a  tall,  thin  man,  somewhat  stooping  in  his  attitude,  with 
what  would  be  termed  a  downcast  look,  seldom  turning  his  eyes  to 
the  right  or  left  as  he  deliberately  proceeded  on  his  way.  From  the 
fact  that  he  was  a  bachelor,  and  Avithal  a  close  student,  and  had  no 
one  but  himself  to  be  responsible  for  his  wardrobe,  liis  clothes  were 
neither  of  the  newest  fashion  nor  very  indicative  of  acquaintance 
with  a  brush.  He  resided,  during  my  knowledge  of  him,  in  the 
paternal  mansion,  in  the  village  of  Millstone.  There,  in  a  retired 
room,  he  had  his  study  furnished  with  the  utmost  plainness,  but  con- 
taining what  seemed  to  me  a  most  wonderful  and  useless  amount  of 
books.  A  great  many  of  them  were  heavy  tomes  bound  in  vellum, 
and  in  the  Dutch  language.  In  that  study  it  was  my  privilege  to 
attend  on  his  kind  instructions  for  some  months,  and  there  I  had  my 
introduction  to  the  mysteries  of  the  dead  languages.  He  was  an 
eminently  modest  and  diffident  person.     This  was  strikingly  raani- 


HISTORICAL   NOTES.  229 

tested  in  the  fact  that,  in  examining  his  chass  in  tlieir  lessons,  he 
scarcely  ever  looked  up  in  our  faces.  Deeply  learned  himself,  he 
Avas  not  the  best  teacher,  because  he  M^as  too  diffident  to  venture  a 
criticism,  and  too  kind  to  rebuke  our  inattention.  In  later  years, 
when  he  was  pi'ofessor  of  Hebrew  in  the  theological  seminary  of  the 
Dutch  church,  he  was  highly  approved  as  a  proficient  in  that  lan- 
guage. 

"As  a  preacher,  1  can  now  see  him  standing  in  the  pulpit,  in  rather 
a  stooping  posture,  with  his  hands  on  the  two  corners  of  the  bible- 
board,  and  his  eyes  on  his  notes,  or  on  the  Bible,  and  without  a 
vai'iation  of  attitude  or  the  semblance  of  a  gesture,  pronouncing  his 
clear  and  well  digested  sermon,  almost  in  a  monotone,  from  the  be- 
ginning to  the  end.  He  could  and  did  preach  both  in  the  Dutch  and 
English  languages.  The  lovers  of  systematic  doctrine  and  Christian 
experience  highly  esteemed  his  discourses.  His  translation  of  Van 
der  Kemp's  sermons,  which  is  one  of  the  formulas  of  the  Dutch  church, 
was  made  at  the  suggestion  of  many  of  his  brethren  in  the  ministry, 
and,  I  believe,  by  a  formal  request  of  the  synod;  and  is  a  monument 
of  industry  and  scholarship. 

"  Mr.  Van  Harlingen  was  very  remarkable  for  his  meditative  habits 
and  entire  abstraction  from  ordinary  surrounding  objects  and  occur- 
rences. Many  anecdotes  illustrative  of  this  characteristic  are  told  in 
the  neighborhood,  of  which  I  may  venture  to  mention  a  single  one. 
The  good  pastor  always  rode  on  horseback.  At  the  church  he  had  a 
particular  post,  to  which  he  uniformly  fastened  his  horse.  On  one  oc- 
casion, some  mischievous  boys,  as  was  supposed,  had  substituted  an- 
other man's  horse  in  the  place  of  his,  and,  amidst  the  merriment  of  the 
urchins,  the  worthy  pastor,  apparently  full  of  the  sacred  message  he 
had  just  delivered  to  the  congregation,  without  remarking  the  change, 
unfastened  his  neighbor's  dashing  steed,  and  would  have  had  a  most 
expeditious,  and  perhaps  dangerous  ride,  had  not  the  mistake  been  cor- 
rected in  time  to  prevent  all  disastrous  consequences;  but  he  carried 
a  piece  of  chalk  in  his  pocket  afterward,  and  uniforuily  marked  the 
saddle  under  the  flap,  to  prevent  similar  mistakes  occurring  to  him  iu 
future. 

"The  great  excellence  of  the  character  of  this  good  man  Avas  his 
deep,  fervent,  experimental  piety.  He  was  manifestly  one  of  those 
Christians  who  live  above  the  world.  With  a  sufficient  patrimony  to 
make  all  attention  to  pecuniary  gain  unnecessary,  he  employed  his 
whole  time  in  sacred  studies,  spiritual  conversation  and  private  devo- 
15  . 


230  HISTORICAL   NOTES. 

tions.  The  savor  of  his  godliness  is  like  ointment  poured  forth,  and 
still  exhales  its  fragrance  in  the  region  where  he  lived  and  died."  * 

We  have  felt  a  just  pride  in  being  able  to  give  so  much  and  such 
learnest  testimony  to  the  excellence  of  one  who  in  his  life  attracted 
but  little  of  the  world's  regard.  He  was  a  great  man  in  obscurity, 
■and  a  good  man  without  fame;  and  he  deserves  more  to  be  kept  in 
remembrance  than  many,  even  of  his  own  profession,  who  have  filled 
A  large  space  in  contemporary  records.  He  rests  from  his  labors  and 
is  not,  for  God  took  him. 

Fi-om  1795  until  1797  the  church  of  Six-Mile  Run  remained  with- 
-out  a  pastor ;  but  in  that  year  it  again  united  with  Millstone  in  call- 
ing the  candidate  James  Spencer  Cannon.  He  continued  to  serve  the 
amited  congregations  until  1807,  when  Millstone  withdrew  from  the 
-connection,  and  Six-Mile  Run  enjoyed  the  whole  of  his  services  until 
he  was,  in  1826,  chosen  professor  of  ecclesiastical  history  in  the 
Theological  Seminary  at  New-Brunswick,  in  which  responsible  situa- 
tion he  died.  , 

Dr.  Cannon  was  born  in  the  Island  of  Cura9oa,  West-Indies, 
January  28th,  1776.  He  was  of  Irish  extraction,  and  liis  father,  Wil- 
liam Cannon,  was  a  sea-captain.  His  mother's  name  was  Ruth  Spencer, 
born  in  Rhode  Island,  of  Scotch  parents.  She  died  in  Baltimore,  and 
is  interred  in  the  Friends'  burying-ground.  Upon  the  death  of  their 
mother,  the  father  jilaced  his  three  sons,  of  whom  James  was  the 
youngest,  in  the  academy  of  Dr.  Peter  Wilson,  at  Hackensack,  N.  J, 
Captain  Cannon  afterward  sailed  for  Cliarleston,  South-Carolina,  in  a 
■vessel  commanded  by  Philip  Freneau,  the  poet.  In  a  violent  storm 
;he  was  lost  at  sea  by  being  thrown  overboard  by  the  jib-boom.  He 
left  some  property  for  his  children,  but  from  some  unexplained  cause 
it  never  came  into  their  possession.  James  Brevort,  Esq.,  of  Hacken- 
sack, acted  the  father's  part  for  James,  and  provided  entirely  for  the 
expenses  of  his  education. 

*  The  following  inscription  is  found  on  liis  tomb  : 

Sacred  to  the  memory  of 

John  M.  Van  Hahlingen, 

Professor  of  the  Hebrew  Lan^^uage  and  of  Ecclesiastical  History 

in  the  Theolof^ical  School  of  the  Dutch  Reformed  Church. 

He  departed  this  life  on  June  16th,  1813, 

in  the  52d  year  of  his  age. 

An  humble  Christian  and  Minister  of  the  Gospel,  without  affectation  ; 

He  was  an  Israelite  in  whom  there  was  no  guile. 


HISTORICAL    NOTES.  231 

When  Dr.  Wilson  was  cliosen  professor  in  Columbia  College, 
James  Cannon  was  transferred  to  the  care  of  Rev.  Alexander  Miller  ; 
and  by  his  diligence  and  studious  li.ibits  laid  the  foundation  of  his 
future  attainments. 

In  the  spring  of  1794,  he  commenced  the  study  of  theology  under 
Dr.  Solomon  Froeligh.  After  two  years,  in  1796,  he  transferred  his 
attendance  to  Dr.  Livingston,  in  order  to  be  able  to  obtain  a  profes- 
sorial certificate,  entitling  him  to  examination  before  classis.  In  July 
of  the  same  year,  after  a  thorougli  examination,  lie  was  licensed  to 
preach  the  Gospel.  The  same  year  he  became  the  pastor  of  the  unit- 
ed congregations  of  Six-Mile  Run  and  Millstone.  He  continued  to 
serve  these  churches  for  ten  years,  and  then  Six-Mile  Run  alone  for 
nineteen  years  more.  In  1826,  he  was  elected  professor  in  the  Theo- 
logical Seminary,  and  died  July  25th,  1852.  Dr.  Cannon  has  been 
characterized  by  two  of  his  friends,  Dr.  JohnProudfit  in  Sprague's 
Annals,  and  Dr.  G.  Ludlow,  in  Corwin's  Manual,  to  which  we  refer 
our  readers  for  fuller  accounts. 

"  Few  men  ever  succeeded  in  rendering  themselves  more  generally 
acceptable  to  tlieir  associates,  or  more  interesting  and  instructive  to 
their  juniors,  than  Dr.  Cannon.  His  social  qualities  were  of  the  most 
admirable  kind.  Dv.  John  Ludlow  once  said  of  him,  'I  would  give 
all  I  am  worth  to  possess  Dr.  Cannon's  parlor  talents.'  In  his  inter- 
course with  strangers,  no  less  than  witli  his  familiar  acquaintances, 
there  was  a  dignity,  urbanity,  and  suavity  which  won  all  classes  of 
minds  alike.  No  man  ever  went  from  liis  presence,  even  though  the 
interview  had  lasted  only  for  a  few  moments,  without  feeling  that  he 
had  been  in  the  society  of  no  ordinary  man. 

"In  his  private  intercourse  with  friends  there  was  a  happy  medium 
observed  between  the  austere  and  the  mirthful,  the  grave  and  the 
cheerful,  which  gave  it  an  almost  irresistible  charm.  That  playful 
huniov  which  always  accompanies  a  kind  heart  rendered  iiim  a  most 
entertaining  companion,  while  his  extensive  reading  and  ripe  expe- 
rience made  him  an  instructive  one.  We  have  known  few  men  who 
had  a  larger  fund  of  anecdotes  suitable  to  every  occasion  at  command, 
or  who  could  relate  them  with  better  effect;  but  then,  like  the  man 
himself,  they  were  always  instructive,  elevated,  and  pure — never  for 
a  moment  compromising  his  character  as  a  Christian  gentleman,  or 
his  high  calling  as  a  minister  of  Christ;  while,  at  the  same  time,  the 
happy  play  of  wit  and  tlie  rich  vein  of  humor  often  carried  his  audi- 
tors to  the  highest  pitch  of  relish  and  enjoyment.     In  fact,  his  con- 


232  HISTOEICAL   NOTES. 

versatioiial  powers  were  of  the  highest  order.  He  could  mingle  learn 
ing  in  his  common  talk  without  pedantry,  and  impart  to  you  the 
most  important  instruction  when  he  seemed  only  to  be  amusing  you. 
In  all  companies  he  became,  insensibly,  a  leader  in  conversation,  and 
the  place  seemed  to  be  involuntarily  conceded  to  him,  in  acknow- 
ledgment of  his  superior  abilities. 

"  The  memory  of  Dr.  Cannon  was  one  remarkable  trait  in  his  mental 
endowment.  His  mind,  perhaps,  was  neither  so  original  nor  so  Avide 
in  its  range  of  tliought  as  to  distinguish  him  much  from  others,  but 
his  memory  was  immense — a  perfect  storehouse,  even  of  names  and 
dates.  He  seemed  never  to  have  forgotten  any  thing,  and  fi'om  the 
wide  field  over  which  his  reading  liad  extended  lie  was  able  on  all 
occasions  to  adduce  facts  and  circumstances  pertinent  to  the  subject 
in  hand.  His  most  intimate  friends  were  often  surprised  when  a  com- 
paratively new  theme  was  introduced  into  conversation,  to  perceive, 
as  he  went  on,  how  perfectly  he  was  acquainted  with  eveiy  impor- 
tant particular  belonging  to  it,  and  with  what  accuracy  he  could  recall 
the  fruits  of  his  study,  after  years  must  have  intervened  since  his  at- 
tention had  been  directed  to  it.  In  fiict,  the  whole  range  of  his  ex- 
tensive reading  was  always  at  his  command. 

"The  learning  of  Dr.  Cannon  was  the  result  of  studious  habits  main- 
tained through  his  whole  life.  Originally  his  advantages,  except  in  a 
good  knowledge  of  the  classics,  had  been  few.  He  had  taken  no  col- 
legiate course,  and  he  was  licensed  to  preach  when  he  was  only 
twenty  years  of  age.  Wliile  serving  the  church  at  Six-Mile  Run  he 
lived  in  retirement  upon  his  own  farm,  and  having  no  taste  for  agri- 
cultural employment,  he  was  left  to  himself,  to  find  the  wherewithal 
to  fill  up  his  life  in  books  and  in  study.  He  must  have  been  a  greedy 
reader,  and  not  in  light  works  either,  but  in  the  more  solid  and  in- 
structive." We  remember  once  being  greatly  surprised  at  the  inti- 
mate knowledge  which  he  manifested  of  the  substance  of  a  great  work, 
then  just  published,  and  in  further  conversation  ascertained  that  it 
had  been  obtained  from  an  ancient  Latin  work,  published  in  Holland 
two  centuries  ago,  not  from  the  work  we  were  speaking  of  at  all. 
■  In  the  best  sense  it  may  be  said  that  Dr.  Cannon  was  a  learned 
man,  and  that  liis  stores  were  all  his  own.  He  was  called  by  his 
students  "a  walking  library,"  and  the  books  which  he  carried  in  his 
mind  were  the  best  on  all  the  subjects  of  learning  then  published. 
If  there  ever  Avas  a  self-made  man  he  was  one,  and  if  there  ever  was 
a  perfect  triumph  of  self-reliance,  he  was  that  man.   His  industry  must 


HISTORICAL   NOTES.  233 

liave  Leon  prodigious;  for  lie  acquired  all  liis  learning  not  only  un- 
aided, but  Avhile  pressed  with  the  duties  of  a  large  congregation,  none 
of  which  he  intermitted  at  any  time  for  the  sake  of  study.  Indeed, 
it  may  be  safely  affirmed  that  no  one  was  ever  more  painstaking  and 
multitudinous  in  his  efforts  and  care  in  visiting  the  sick,  instructing 
the  ignorant,  and  comforting  the  afflicted  than  he  was ;  and,  more- 
over, he  wrote  all  his  sermons,  and  committed  them  to  memory. 
When  we  think  of  it  all,  Ave. are  astonished;  his  labors  must  have 
been  prodigious.     And  yet  he  was  the  least  like  a  joining  student. 

When  he  went  into  the  seminary,  he  at  once  assumed  the  position 
of  one  of  the  most  learned  among  its  professors;  and  he  ever  retained 
it.  His  published  lectures  explain  liow  it  was  so.  They  do  his  in- 
tellect, his  mind,  and  his  heart  equal  honor;  and  are,  in  fact,  the  full, 
est  and  completest  treatise  on  the  subject  extant. 

In  mental  conformation,  Dr.  Cannon  resembled  Leighton  more  than 
Edwards  or  Chalmers,  and  Bates  more  than  Owen  or  Howe.  lie  was 
more  extensively  read  than  Dr.  Livingston,  and  a  better  theologian 
than  Dr.  John  Ludlow.  His  mind  was  not  so  grand  as  it  was  clear, 
logical,  and  deliberate.  His  views  of  truth  were  more  distinguished 
by  their  exactness  and  solidity  than  by  any  far-i*eaching  or  deep- 
searching  power ;  and  yet  when  he  had  discussed  any  theme,  there 
was  little  left  to  be  said  by  any  one  who  came  after  him.  Thougli  he 
might  not  have  absolutely  exhausted  it,  he  had  evidently  seen  all  its 
prominent  points  and  traversed  to  the  extent  of  its  legitimate  boun- 
daries. He  was  consequently  not  so  much  an  awaking  as  an  instruc- 
tive preacher;  and  yet  we  remember  how,  on  the  installation  of  Pre- 
sident Frelinghuysen,  his  eloquence  and  power  rapt  completely  away 
the  whole  vast  congregation. 

Christians  of  mature  piety,  possessing  an  experimental  knowledge 
of  the  way  of  life,  always  loved  to  listen  to  his  discourses,  and  ac- 
knowledged themselves  to  have  been  edified  in  doing  so.  A  sober 
nind  could  find  real  pleasure  in  his  chaste  and  perspicuous  mode  of 
presenting  truth,  though  one  that  was  giddy  and  frivolous  might  have 
preferred  the  noisy,  impetuous  declaimer.  His  pulpit  efforts  were  uni- 
formly sound,  sensible,  and  evangelical,  manifesting  care,  cultui-e,  and 
piety.  He  could  be  eloquent,  and  sometimes  rose  to  a  high  degree 
of  pathos  and  power.  Ordinarily  his  strain  of  preaching  resembled 
more  the  music  of  a  running  brook  than  the  loud  roar  of  the  rushing 
cataract.  He  was  more  like  "the  disciple  whom  Jesus  loved"  than 
"the  sons  of  thunder"  who  would  fain  have  called  down  fire  from 
heaven  to  consume  gainsayers.     His  sermons  were  uniformly  models 


,234  HISTORICAL   NOTES. 

of  good  taste  ;  in  their  style  chaste  and  perspicuous  ;  in  their  sentiment 
solid  and  judicious,  and  in  their  method  instructive  and  logical.  In 
the  excellent  qualities  of  the  best  preachers,  Dr.  Cannon  had  but  few 
equals.  His  voice  in  early  and  mature  life  was  feeble,  but  fine  and 
musical;  afterward  it  grew  in  compass,  and  allowed  him  to  reach 
even  the  remote  hearers  in  a  large  house. 

In  the  seminary  he  was  honored,  beloved,  and  admired.  Few,  in 
fact,  had  a  stronger  hold  on  the  young  men  who  sat  at  his  feet ;  and 
their  affectionate  regard  for  his  }uemory  seems  to  be  inci*easing  with 
their  years. 

After  a  protracted  work  in  the  church  and  in  the  seminary,  he  was 
at  last  called  to  his  rest.  We  heard  him  when  he  was  just  "on  the 
borders  of  Immanuel's  land"  speak  of  his  faith  and  trust  in  Jesus  as 
a  o-reat  Saviour,  and  how  he  hoped  to  see  him  in  heaven.  Amid  the 
silence  of  the  Lord's  day,  when  the  incense  from  the  prayers  of  all 
the  saints  was  ascending  before  the  throne,  his  spirit  severed  the  silver 
cord  and  mounted  up  to  God.  It  was  a  fit  time  for  such  a  man  to  die. 
He  had  always  felt  his  soul  gladdened  by  the  communion  of  saints,  and 
now  it  went  away  to  enjoy  it  in  glory.  He  sleeps  beside  the  other 
"  worthies"  in  the  crowded  cemetery  of  the  old  church  in  the  city  of 
New-Brunswick,  awaiting  a  resurrection  to  eternal  life.  He  died  on 
the  2oth  July,  1852,  and  his  monument  is  inscribed: 

"  This  monument  is  erected  by  the  General  Synod  of  the  Reformed 
Dutch  Church  to  the  memory  of  Rev.  James  Spencer  Cannon,  D.D., 
Professor  of  Ecclesiastical  History,  Church  Government,  and  Pastoral 
Theology  in  the  Seminary  of  New-Brunswick,  and  Professor  of  Meta- 
physics in  Rutgers  College. 

'•Born  in  the  Island  of  Cura9oa,  January  29th,  1V76.  Died  in  New- 
Brunswick,  July  25th,  1852.  Conamanding  in  person,  dignified  in  ad- 
dress, richly  endowed  with  various  knowledge,  distinguished  for  piety, 
and  devoted  to  the  duties  of  his  holy  calling,  he  ofiiciated  as  Pastor  of 
the  Church  of  Six-Mile  Run  for  thirty  years  with  signal  fidelity  and 
success,  and  for  twenty-six  years  he  conducted  the  studies  of  his  de- 
partment in  the  Seminary  in  a  manner  to  secure  the  highest  commen- 
dation of  the  Synod." 

It  Avill  be  long  before  another  so  complete  in  all  the  essential  ele- 
ments of  greatness  and  goodness  is  found  to  occupy  the  place  his 
death  has  left  vacant.  One  of  the  old  school  of  gentlemen,  scholars, 
and  preachers,  he  appears  to  our  recollection  as  the  beau-ideal  of  a 
great  and  good  man,  and  we  love  to  recall  many  happy  hours  spent 
in  the  closest  and  most  confideniial  intimacv.     It  was  grateful  then 


HISTORICAL    NOTES.  235 

to  be  permitted  to  sit  at  liis  feet,  and  it  is  grateful  now  to  remember 
that  he  permitted  us  to  do  so.  It  has  been  a  labor  of  love  to  twine 
this  chaplet  of  flowers  and  lay  it  on  liis  grave. 

Dr.  Cannon  wore  his  clotlies  always  in  the  same  fashion  ;  and  it  was 
no  slight  advantage  to  liis  large  and  dignified  person  tliat  he  did  so. 
His  garb  became  him  ;  and  sonie  persons  thought  lie  had  a  little  pride 
in  it.  It  certainly  did  not  lessen  the  dignity  of  his  impressive  person 
and  courteous  deportment.     He  certainly  had  chosen  it  well. 

He  married  the  daughter  of  his  benefactor,  Elias  Brevoort,  of 
Hackensack,  on  the  7th  October,  179G.  Her  name  was  Catherine. 
They  had  twelve  children  ;  four  of  whom  received  a  collegiate  edu- 
cation.    Only  three  of  his  children  survive. 

Dr.  Cannon  published,  besides  the  Lectures  on  Pastoral  Theology, 
an  oration  on  the  4th  of  July,  a  sacramental  sermon,  and,  for  the  use 
of  the  students,  some  notes  on  chronology.  It  is  known  that  he  had 
a  large  amount  of  manuscript,  but  it  is  not  known  wliat  was  done 
with  it. 

His  memory  was  greatly  embalmed  in  the  hearts  of  his  people  at 
Six-Mile  Run  ;  and  his  example  quoted  in  every  thing  that  was  good. 
It  is  yet  alive.  The  aged  tliiiik  there  w\as  no  one  equal  to  him.  His 
ministry  was  blessed  in  many  conversions,  but  there  was  no  marked 
season  of  revival  during  its  continuance,  except  that  which  had  its 
centre  in  Somerville  in  1820  and  1821,  and  extended  over  all  the 
churches  of  the  county — at  least  to  some  extent.  He  built  up  a  strong 
churcli,  and  the  fruits  of  his  labors  are  yet  known  among  his  people. 
In  all  time  to  come,  he  Avill  be  reckoned  as  one  of  the  great  men  who 
labored  in  Somerset  County,  and  had  a  large  share  in  making  the 
churches  what  they  are — perhaps  the  best  ordered  and  best  instruct- 
ed religious  societies  in  the  State.  Dr.  Alexander,  of  Princeton,  was 
accustomed  to  refer  to  them  as  such. 

When  Dr.  Cannon  resigned  his  charge  at  Six-Mile  Run,  the  church 
remained  without  a  pastor  until  1827,  when  the  consistory  united 
in  a  call  to  the  Rev.  James  Romeyn,  of  Nassau,  New-York.  Mr. 
Romeyn  was,  at  this  time,  comparatively  a  young  man,  having  been  in 
the  ministry  only  about  seven  years,  but  his  rej^utation  as  a  most  effec- 
tive preacher  had  preceded  liim  ;  nor  were  the  high  expectations  which 
had  been  formed  disappointed.  For  six  years  he  made  the  force  of  his 
character  and  the  pow'cr  of  his  pulpit  services  tell  effectively  upon  the 
interests  of  the  church.  He  was  one  of  the  most  splendid  and  earnest 
preachers  of  Iiis  day.  His  utterance  resembled  the  rush  of  a  torrent, 
and  his  style  and  illustrations  flashed  upon  his  hearers  like  a  pyrotech- 


236  HISTORICAL   NOTES. 

iiic  display.  He  forced  you  to  listen,  and  when  he  had  gained  your  at- 
tention, he  enchained  it.  One  says  of  him,  "He  was  of  an  exceedingly 
sensitive  temperament ;  and  this  peculiarity  measurably  unfitted  him 
for  contact  with  a  rough  world,  but  gave  extreme  ardor  to  the  pur- 
suit of  studies  he  loved,  and  rendered  him,  with  his  strong  mental  en- 
dowments, perhaps  the  most  eloquent  of  our  preachers.  He  Avas  a 
flame  of  fire  in  the  pulpit.  His  utterance  Avas  rapid  in  the  extreme, 
yet  in  his  best  days  distinct ;  his  posture  a  little  stooped,  his  eye  fol- 
lowing his  notes  closely,  his  action  not  ungraceful,  and  his  whole  man- 
ner vivacious,  ardent,  impressive.  His  style  was  sententious,  brilliant, 
and  full  of  scripture  ;  of  which  a  leading  word  or  two  gave  you  the  pas- 
sage  and  its  use  in  the  argument.  His  quotations  and  allusions  of 
all  kinds,  and  his  abundant,  and  to  any  but  himself  redundant,  com- 
parisons and  figures,  so  characterized  his  sermons  as  to  render  them 
altogether  peculiar."  Often  a  closing  sentence  gave  the  finishing  touch 
and  the  conclusive  argument  to  the  whole  preceding  paragraph.  For 
instance,  in  showing  how  science  foils  in  religion,  and  how  little  it  uses 
of  what  science  glories  in,  he  says,  "  To  attempt  thus  to  back  revelation, 
is  like  holding  a  lamp  beside  the  sun,  or  gilding  gold,  or  propping  up 
the  Alps."  In  speaking  of  forms  without  power  he  says,  "  We  may 
be  stable  as  a  pillar,  and  conservative  as  salt,  and  prove  notwithstand- 
ing like  Lot's  wife — a  living  body  transformed  into  a  dead  mass,  and 
be  nothing  but  a  monument  of  folly  and  disobedience  after  all." 
•  "  When  he  had  well  gotten  into  his  subject,  he  often  seemed  to  be  on 
fire,  and  then  he  flashed  out  lipon  his  hearers  light  and  heat  like  a 
burning  comet ;  and  all  so  rapid,  so  impetuous,  so  snrprising  that 
his  whole  audience  became  electrified.  Witl\  not  only  his  fjice  glow- 
ing, but  his  whole  system  quivering,  you  wondered  where  it  Avould 
end,  and  not  unfrequently  feared  lest  it  should  consume  him.  It  cost 
him  a  great  deal  to  preach  ;  no  wonder  his  nervous  system  became 
shattered  and  failed  him  apparently  long  before  his  Avurk  Avas  done ! 
He  burnt  out  like  a  flaming  taper." 

In  person  he  is  described  as  "  tall,  Avith  a  large  face  and  a  broad, 
high  and  retreating  forehead ;  an  aquiline  nose,  almost  too  large  even 
for  such  a  face  ;  grayish  blue  eyes  ;  light  brown  hair,  parted  on  his 
forehead  from  the  right  side,  short,  thick,  and  smooth.  In  manner 
he  Avas  gentle,  afi"able,  and  kind.  Hocial  in  his  disposition,  a  true 
Iriend,  and  a  pure-minded,  upright,  honest  man.  He  could  not  be  call- 
ed an  elegant  man,  but  he  impressed  those  Avho  saw  him  for  the  first 
time;  and  no  one  ever  spoke  with  him,  ca'cu  for  a  few  moments,  Avith- 
out  remembering  something  which  he  had  uttered,  and  feeling  that 


HISTORICAL   NOTES.  237 

there  was  a  power  in  tlie  man  whicli  made  him  at  once  wortliy  of  love 
and  fear." 

We  copy  from  a  notice  of  him  in  Corwin's  Manual  the  following  in- 
teresting reminiscences:  "In  the  seminary  it  was  said  of  him,  he  was 
never  tardy  in  time  or  loose  in  preparation.  In  his  intercourse  with 
his  fellow-students  he  was  blithe  and  joyous,  with  an  unfailing  smile 
of  good-fellowship.  He  was  never  angry,  though  his  nature  was  im- 
pulsive. His  early  efforts  at  sermonizing  showed  the  budding  of  that 
rich  and  exuberant  imagination  which  so  eminently  distinguished 
his  more  mature  efforts.  He  could  pursue  a  principal  thought  and  its 
successive  inferences,  corollaries  and  suggestions,  until  it  made  almost 
a  complete  circle  of  Christian  doctrine.  When  he  had  made  one  of 
these  successful  efforts,  which  showed  him  to  be  a  head  and  shoulders 
taller  than  any  of  his  seniors,  he  did  not  seem  to  be  aware  of  tiiefjict. 

"  As  a  preacher,  he  never  occupied  as  conspicuous  a  position  as  his 
abilities  merited,  partly  on  account  of  sliattered  health,  and  partly  be- 
cause he  shunned  publicity.  His  rapid  and  impetuous  delivery  im- 
paired to  some  extent  tlie  effect  of  his  sermons,  but  his  mind  worked 
in  tliem  like  a  steam-engine. 

"  His  discourses  exhibited  great  intellectual  power,  being  always 
M'^ell  prepared,  full  of  the  marrow  of  the  Gospel,  glowing  imagery,  and 
brilliant  thought ;  but  his  wonderful  rapidity  of  utterance  often,  at 
first,  seemed  to  confound  his  hearers,  and  demanded  from  him  closer 
attention  than  he  was  able  to  give.  He  always  came  to  the  sanc- 
tuary with  'beaten  oil,'  feeling  deeply  the  responsibility  of  winning 
souls  to  Cln-ist.  His  conscientiousness  in  this  direction  even  prevent- 
ed him  from  entering  upon  extensive  fields  of  usefulness  when  they 
Avere  offered  him.  In  pi-eaching,  he  gathered  his  illustrations  from 
every  department  of  nature,  science,  and  history.  His  reference  book 
was  a  storehouse  of  the  choicest  gems,  gathered  from  a  wide  field  of 
reading  and  research,  hence  he  Avas  never  at  a  loss  for  the  apt  and  the 
beautiful  when  he  sat  down  to  prepare  one  of  his  sermons." 

He  was  perhaps  too  mucli  of  a  slave  to  his  pen,  and  often  wasted  upon 
twenty  or  thirty  persons  in  a  district  school-house,  the  fruits  of  study 
and  composition  that  ought  to  have  edified  thousands.  The  fact  was, 
he  did  not  know  what  kind  of  a  man  he  was,  and  what  he  was  capa- 
ble of  doing;  and  it  was  not  the  fear  of  man,  much  less  an  anxious 
desire  to  please,  that  impelled  him  to  all  his  labor,  but  his  high  sense 
of  the  preacher's  responsibilities,  and  his  unbending  desire  to  do  all  in 
his  power  to  "  commend  the  truth  to  every  man's  conscience  in  the 
sight  of  God." 


238  HISTORICAL   NOTES. 

James  Romeyn  was  a  minister's  son,  born  in  his  father's  house  in 
Greenbush,  Albany  County,  in  tlie  year  1797.  He  graduated  at 
Columbia  College,  in  the  city  of  New- York,  in  1816,  his  father  having 
before  this  time  removed  to  Hackensack.  He  studied  theology  in  the 
seminary  at  New-Brunswick,  under  Dr.  Livingston,  witli  whom  he 
held  confidential  relations,  and  often  accompanied  him  on  the  little  ex- 
cursions which  he  made  to  preach  or  to  attend  to  his  business.  Besides 
his  labors  at  Nassau  and  Six-Mile  Run,  he  became  the  successor  of 
his  father,  J.  V.  C.  Romeyn,  at  Hackensack,  for  three  years,  Tiien  he 
labored  four  years  at  Kaats  Kill,  then  at  Leeds  for  two  years,  then  at 
Bergen  Neck  for  six  years,  and  finally  was  attacked  with  paralysis 
just  after  he  had  been  pleasantly  settled  at  Geneva,  New- York.  He 
had  man)'-  calls  to  labor  in  other  places.  Perhaps  he  changed  his 
position  too  often.  His  temperament  was  extremely  nervous,  and  a 
little  thing  was  sufficient  to  unsettle  him.  From  Geneva  he  came  to 
New-Brunswick,  had  himself  declared  "Emeritus,"  and  died  Septem- 
ber 7th,  1859.  He  left  two  sons,  one  of  whom  is  now  the  pastor  at 
Hackensack,  in  his  father's  and  grandfxther's  church  ;  and  his  widow 
Johanna  Rodgers,  still  survives  hitn.  For  so  great  a  man,  he  may  be 
said  to  have  been  constitutionally  one  of  the  most  unsteady  of  men 
He  did  a  noble  work,  but  how  much  more  and  nobler  he  was  capable 
of  doing ! 

On  his  tomb  in  the  cemetery  at  Hackensack,  N.  J.,  where  his  re- 
mains rest,  these  words  are  inscribed  : 

Eev.  James   Romeyn. 

Born  Sept.  30,  1797. 

Died  Sept.  7,  1859. 

"  Thou  hast  dealt  well  with  thy  servant,  O  Lord  !     I  have  passed  my  days  as  a 

Minister  of  Jesus  Christ.     That  is  enough  !  that  is  enough  !     I  am  satisfied  !     God 

has  led  me  by  a  right  way.     Bless  the  Lord,  O  my  soul !" — James  Romeyn. 

"  These  are  they  which  came  out  of  great  tribulation,  and  have  washed  their 
robes,  and  made  them  white  in  the  blood  of  the  Lamb." — Rev.  7  :  14. 

We  have  a  distinct  recollection  of  James.  We  enjoyed  confiden- 
tial intercourse  with  him,  and  can,  from  personal  acquaintance,  testify 
how  much  truth  there  is  in  these  friendly  and  flattering  notices  of 
him.  Indeed,  in  describing  his  peculiar  traits  of  character  and  his 
prominent  excellences,  it  is  difficult  to  make  an  overstatement. 
Mentally  he  was  a  giant,  pliysically  and  constitutionally  little  more 
than  a  cliild.  You  could  love  him,  and  then  you  felt  as  if  you  could 
chastise  him  because  he  was  so  weak,  so  wavering,  so  distrustful  of  him- 


HISTORICAL   NOTES.  239 

self.  He  ought  to  have  filled  the  first  pulpit  in  the  land,  and  he  filled 
some  that  were  almost  the  least  prominent.  Like  the  flower  of  which 
Gray  sings  in  his  Elegy,  he  wasted  his  sweetness  on  the  desert  air. 


THE  CHURCH  OF  READINGTON— AT  FIRST  NORTH- 
BRANCH. 

The  records  of  this  church  were  kept  in  early  days  in  a  remarka- 
bly elegant  handwriting  by  Albert  Stoothoff.  They  have  become 
much  worn  and  need  to  be  restored.  We  have  found  in  them  seve- 
ral items  of  information  not  previously  known.  They  commence  in 
these  words  : 

"Anno  1V19  :  Tiie  church  over  the  North-Brancli,  begun  in  1718, 
is  completed.  The  first  sermon  was  preached  in  it  on  the  21st  of 
Feb.,  I7^f,  by  Theodoras  Jacobus  Frelinghuysen,  the  first  settled 
preacher  of  the  four  united  places,  as  Raritan,  Six-Mile  Run,  Three- 
Mile  Run,  and  North-Branch. 

The  baptismal  register  commences  February  21st,  1720,  when  An- 
dreas Ten  Eyck  and  Adriantje  his  wife  had  a  son  baptized  named 
Matthew. 

The  names  on  the  first  page  are  Abraham  Dubois,  John  Pursell, 
Jacob  Sebring,  Josliua  Orison,  Daniel  Sebring,  Jan  Hendricksen, 
Koenradt  Ten  Eyck,  Derek  Van  Voghten,  Michael  Van  Veghten, 
Alexander  McDowal,  Benjamin  Burt,  Jan  Van  Sicklen,  Coert  Jan- 
sen,  Jacob  Stoll,  Tennis  Van  Middlewaert,  George  Hall,  Albert 
Louw,  William  Rosa,  Paulus  Buliier,  and  Lucus  Schermerhorn. 
We  give  tliem  as  among  the  origmal  or  first  supporters  and  members 
of  Readington  church.  This  is  not  a  complete  list,  but,  by  their  re- 
curring frequently,  they  are  shown  to  have  been,  at  least,  among  the 
most  active,  and  nearly  all  have  had  successors  even  down  to  the 
present  time. 

The  first  elders  of  this  congregation,  appointed  in  1719,  were  Cor- 
nelius Bogaert  and  Jan  Hendricksen  ;  the  first  deacons,  Abraham 
De  la  Meter  and  Andreas  Ten  Eyck. 

Anno  1721,  September  Gth,  a  new  choice  was  made,  and  Emanuel 
Van  Etten  was  elected  elder  and  Jan  Lowe  as  deacon,  and  they  were 


240  HISTORICAL   NOTES. 

oi'dained  October  8Lh.  The  elder  whose  time  expired  was  Jan  Hen- 
dricksen — the  deacon,  Abraham  De  la  Meter;  so  that  the  consistory 
then  stood:  elders,  Cornelius  Bogaert,  Emanuel  Van  Etten  ;  deacons, 
Andreas  Ten  Eyck  and  Jan  Lowe. 

Anno  IV22,  on  the  26th  September,  a  new  election  was  again  had, 
and  Abraham  De  la  Meter  was  chosen  elder  and  Volkerd  Dercksen 
deacon.  Jan  Lowe  went  out  of  office,  so  that  then  the  elders  -were 
Cornelius  Bogaert,  Emanuel  Van  Etten,  and  Abraham  De  la  Meter; 
the  deacons,  Andreas  Ten  Eyck  and  Volkert  Dercksen.  In  172'?, 
Andrew  Ten  Eyck  was  chosen  elder  and  Pieter  Van  Neste  deacon ; 
Emanuel  Van  Etten  went  out  of  office,  and  those  who  had  been 
elected  were  ordained  September  3d.  To  the  foregoing  names  were 
added,  as  elders  or  deacons,  during  the  succeeding  years  up  to  1736, 
Thomas  Bouman,  Abraham  Loth,  Simon  Van  Arsdalen,  Dirck  De 
Mott,  Jan  Van  Neste.  The  consistory  was  in  that  year  a  full  board, 
consisting  of  three  elders,  Andreas  Ten  Eyck,  Dirck  De  Mott,  and 
Jan  Van  Arsdalen,  and  three  deacons,  Abraham  Lott,  Pieter  Van 
Neste,  and  Jan  Van  Neste. 

In  1736,  a  most  important  movement  was  made  at  a  meeting  of 
the  Great  Consistories,  embracing  the  four  united  congregations.  It 
was  resolved  that  an  additional  pastor  should  be  called  as  a  colleague 
to  Dominie  Frelinghuysen,  and  a  call  was  accordingly  prepared  and 
sent  to  Holland,  to  the  care  of  G.  Van  Schujdenborgh,  promising 
£80  currency,  a  house  with  fifty  acres  of  land,  a  free  horse  and  free 
boar<l  in  all  the  congregations  while  in  the  performance  of  his  pas- 
toral duties,  with  the  expenses  of  examination  and  ordination,  and  a 
free  passage. 

Two  years  previous  to  this  a  corresponding  movement  had  been 
made  at  Three-Mile  Run,  and  the  Rev.  Vincentius  Antonides,  of  Long 
Island,  had  ordained  a  consistory  out  of  the  malcontents,  consisting 
of  Daniel  Sebring  and  Peter  Kinne  as  elders,  and  William  Rosse  and 
Francis  Waldron  as  deacons.  In  this  there  was  concert  of  action,  at 
least  in  the  three  congregations  of  Three-Mile  Run,  Harlingen,  and 
North-Branch.  Raritan  does  not  appear  to  have  been  represented 
in  any  authoritative  way,  though  there  were  individuals  who  sympa- 
thized with  it.  North-Branch  was,  in  f^ct,  one  of  the  churches  in 
which  the  "  Conferentie"  feelings  prevailed  to  a  considerable  extent. 
We  find  indications  of  this  down  until  the  day  s  of  Dr.  Hardenbergh,  and 
references  are  frequently  made  to  it  in  their  minutes.  It  would  even 
seem  that,  at  one  time,  they  hoped  to  gain  possession  of  the  church, 


HISTORICAL    NOTES.  241 

and  establish  one  of  tlicir  own  ministers  in  it.  They  comphxin  bit- 
terly of  the  faihire  of  Fryeninoet  to  secure  tlie  confidence  of  the  peo- 
ple, and  of  the  conduct  of  those  who  refused  to  acbuit  him;  and 
again,  in  the  case  of  Leydecker,  the  same  desire  is  exliibited,  and  may 
he  traced  down  to  tlie  time  when  Ilardenbergli  was  called.  Tiiey 
call  him  "  the  pretended  student." 

We  may  now  pause  a  moment  to  estimate  the  two  opposing  influ- 
ences existing  in  the  church.  The  Conferentie  were  not  men  of  pro- 
gress, but  the  contrary.  They  reprobated  the  idea  of  independence 
of  Holland,  opposed  bitterly  the  attempt  to  found  an  institution  of 
learning,  and  would  have  nothing,  until  it  was  forced  upon  them,  but 
a  ministry  from  the  Fatherland.  They  were  thus  impracticable  men. 
Under  them  the  church  would  have  died  out. 

On  the  contrary,  the  Coetus  earnestly  labored  to  build  u}>,  provide 
what  was  necessary,  and  their  preaching  and  their  lives  souglit  to 
promote  spiritual  and  evangelical  Christianity.  Their  success  is  our 
prosperity.     We  are  reaping  what  they  sowed. 

At  the  same  time,  the  following  persons  were  appointed  helpers  in 
the  difl"erent  churches — following,  as  was  aflirmed,  the  example  of  Paul 
in  1  Cor.  12  :  28 :  "  God  hath  set  some  in  the  cliurch,  first  apostles, 
secondarily  propliets,  thirdly  teachers,  after  that  miracles,  then  gifts 
of  healings,  helps,  governments,  diversities  of  tongues'"' — namely  : 
In  New-Brunswick,  lioelef  Nevius,  Hendrick  Vischer,  Abraliam 
Ouke;  Raritan,  Hendrick  Bries  and  Tlieunis  Post;  North-Branch, 
Simon  Van  Arsdalen ;  Six-Mile  Run,  Elbert  Stoothoff.  These  per- 
sons, after  being  chosen,  were  set  apart  to  their  work  as  eatechize- 
masters  and  leaders  in  the  prayer-meetings,  and  they  were  empowered 
to  hold  their  exercises  publicly,  even  in  the  church,  in  the  absence 
of  the  pastor. 

They  were  also  directed  to  have  an  oversight  over  all  the  mem- 
bers of  the  church,  teaching  them,  guiding  them,  and  encouraging 
them  in  their  Christian  life  and  duty. 

In  1737,  jNIarch  4th,  another  important  step  was  taken  in  the  de- 
termination to  build  a  new  church  at  North-Branch,  and  Joris  Hall, 
Jan  Van  Sickelon,  Nicholas  Wyckoff",  and  Martin  Reyersen  were  ap- 
pointed to  carry  this  resolution  into  effect.  The  contemplated  enter- 
prise was  happily  carried  into  effect,  and  on  the  7th  of  October,  1739, 
the  first  sermon  was  preached  in  tiie  new  churcli  of  North-Branch, 
from  Psalm  48  :  9,  "We  have  thought  of  thy  loving-kindness,  O  God, 
in  the  midst  of  thy  temple,"  by  Dominie  Frclinghuysen.     It  was  also 


242  HISTORICAL   notes/ 

decided,  at  the  same  meeting,  that  the  consistory  should  meet  four 
times  in  each  year,  once  uniformly  just  before  the  sacrament  of  the 
Lord's  Supper  was  dispensed. 

The  minutes  are  continued  regularly,  and  the  yearly  election  of 
elders  and  deacons  noted,  until  1744,  when  Jan  Van  Neste,  Abraham 
De  la  Meter,  and  Pieter  Wortnian  were  the  elders,  and  Nicholas 
Wyckoff,  Jacob  Ten  Eyck,  and  Martin  Reyersen  deacons,  and  then 
a  broad  line  is  drawn  across  the  page,  and  we  are  left  in  darkness  as 
to  all  that  passed  in  the  congregation  until  the  year  1750.  What 
intervened  in  these  six  years  we  can  not  know,  only  Dominie  Fre- 
linghuysen  died  in  1748,  and  his  son  succeeded  him. 

Anno  1750.  The  first  sermon  was  preached  by  Johannes  Freling- 
huysen — called  to  the  churches  of  his  honored  and  beloved  father — . 
in  the  church  of  Raritan,  August  8th,  from  Psalm  45  :  16,  "  Instead 
of  thy  fathers  shall  be  thy  children  ;"  in  the  church  of  North-Branch, 
on  the  10th,  from  Zech.  4:6,"  Not  by  might  nor  by  power,  but  by 
my  spirit,  saith  the  Lord  of  hosts;"  at  Millstone,  on  the  17th,  from 
Psalm  133  :  1,  "  Behold,  how  good  .and  how  pleasant  it  is  for  breth- 
ren to  dwell  together  in  unity!"  Theodoras  Jacobus  Frelinghnysen 
was  dead,  his  son  was  in  his  place  ;  but  where  he  died,  when  he  died, 
and  where  his  remains  rest,  are  strangely  omitted  in  the  minutes  ef 
all  his  churches. 

The  register  of  baplisms  in  North-Branch  commences  promptly  on 
the  21st  of  February,  1720 — the  very  day  when  T.  J.  Frelinghnysen 
preached  his  first  sermon — and  records  the  baptism  of  Matthew,  a  son 
of  Andreas  Ten  Eyck,  one  of  the  first  deacons  chosen  on  the  first 
organization  of  the  church.  It  is  a  beautiful  register,  .and  seems  to 
have  been  kept  by  Albert  Stoothoff  until  December  7th,  1783.  It 
notices  a  variety  of  important  circumstances  in  passing  on  its  course, 
as,  for  instance,  the  death  of  John  Frelinghnysen  on  the  15th  of  Sep- 
tember, 1754;  that  T.  J.  Frelinghnysen  the  younger  baptized  three 
children  on  the  3d  of  May,  1747,  apparently  just  before  his  father's 
decease  ;  that  Dominie  Fryenmoet  b.aptized  nine  children  December 
loth,  1746  ;  thatEricksen  baptized  three  March  31st,  1748,  and  again, 
on  the  6th  July,  1748,  ten,  both  evidently  after  the  decease  of  T.  J. 
Frelinghnysen,  and  while  he  was  temporarily  supplying  the  pulpit ; 
ag.ain,  eighteen  by  Fryenmoet  in  1750,  when  he  Avas  a  second  time 
on  his  errand  of  strife  in  the  congregation  ;  John  Frelinghuysen's 
introductory  sermon,  August  5th,  1750;  the  introduction  of  the 
"  New  Style"  on  the  3d  day  of  September,  1752,  when,  in  place  of 


HISTORICAL  NOTES.  243 

tlie  3(1,  the  true  reckoning  was  tlie  14th  of  that  month.     It  is,  in- 
deed, one  of  the  neatest  and  best-kept  registers  we  have  ever  seen. 

From  this  register  we  derive  the  following  names  of  persons  who 
offered  their  children  for  baptism  to  the  intruding  ministers  of  the 
Conferentie  party,  namely  :  Elbert  Voorhees,  Adrian  Hageman,  Joris 
Middagh,  Abram  Van  Hoorn,  Matthias  Brewer,  Jacob  Kinne,  Lode- 
wick  Ilardenbrook,  Cornelis  Wyckoff,  Willian  Poling,  Adrien  Sut- 
phin.  Marten  Myer,  Benjamin  Louw,  Cornelis  Van  Campen,  Rynier 
Van  Sicklen,  William  Van  Neste,  Hendrik  Null,  Abm.  Van  Sicklen, 
Hendrik  Vroom,  Lodewyk  Richtmeier,  Abm.  Van  Neste,  Jan  Staatsz, 
Jan  Sickelse,  Jan  Van  Neste,  Hendrik  Van  Wagenen — baptized  by 
Fryenraoet,  May,  lY50;  and  previously,  in  1746,  by  the  same  j^erson, 
at  Neshanic,  but  recorded  at  North-Branch,  Abm.  Van  Neste,  Har- 
nien  Lane,  Peter  Middagh,  William  Poling,  Jost  Schamp,  Jan  Anten, 
Peter  Beekman,  William  Hall,  Jacobus  Kinne  ;  also,  by  Errickson, 
in  1748,  Benjamin  Louw,  Derik  Louw,  Denys  Strycker,  Isaac  Bogert, 
Matthys  Kaalsie. 

But  John  Frelinghuysen's  short  and  earnest  ministry  of  three  and 
a  half  years  came  to  an  end  suddenly  and  very  unexpectedly  to  all 
his  people.  It  was  a  severe  dispensation  of  providence,  and  he  was 
mourned  greatly.  Zion  appeared  to  lay  waste  and  desolate.  IIo})e 
there  seemed  to  be  almost  none.  Ministers  could  not  be  procured 
in  Holland  without  great  expense  and  delay,  and  the  church  was 
divided  on  the  policy  of  raising  a  ministry  of  her  own.  It  was, 
indeed,  a  dark  and  gloomy  day,  and  almost  four  years  passed  before 
any  thing  was  effectually  done.  Then,  at  last,  a  young  man  was 
found  to  take  Ids  place,  and  called  to  enter  into  this  wide  and  invit- 
ing field.  It  was  the  Rev.  Jacob  Rutsen  Ilardenbergh,  a  student  of 
Frelinghuj'-sen,  and  the  husband  of  his  widow. 

But,  before  proceeding  to  notice  his  ministry,  we  turn  to  some 
reminiscences  of  an  earlier  date,  derived  principally  from  Dr.  John 
Van  Liew's  dedication  sermon. 

We  have  noticed  that  a  house — said  to  have  been  of  logs — was 
built  for  the  })urpose  of  holding  religious  services  in  this  vicinity  as 
early  as  1019  or  1620.  It  stood  near  the  junction  of  the  north  and 
south  brandies  of  Raritan  River,  on  the  second  bank,  nearly  oppo- 
site the  residence  of  Andrew  Ten  Eyck.  Tiie  land  is  now  owned  by 
Mr.  John  Vosseller.  In  this  rude  l)uilding  T.  J.  Frelinghuysen 
preached  his  first  sermon  on  the  21st  of  February,  1720.  Tliis  house 
served  as  the  ordinary  place  of  meeting  for  the  iidiabitants  of  that 


244  HISTORICAL    NOTES. 

district  for  about  eighteen  years.  Tradition  says  it  was  burned 
down. 

The  population  increased  during  this  term  of  years,  and  spread 
■westward.  The  location  appeared  to  be  too  near  to  the  Raritan 
church,  and  a  change  was  called  for,  in  view  of  the  erection  of  a 
better  and  more  commodious  house  of  worship.  The  result  was  that 
the  new  church  was  built  about  three  miles  further  west,  wliere  the 
church  of  Readington  now  stands.  It  was  a  frame  building,  quite 
commodious,  built  in  the  ordinary  form  of  churches  in  our  State  in 
those  days,  with  the  side  to  the  street,  the  main  entrance  in  the 
centre,  and  the  pulpit  directly  opposite  to  it,  with  a  centre  aisle,  and 
galleries  in  the  ends  on  the  right  and  left  of  the  pulpit.  The  dimen- 
sions we  are  not  able  to  state.  Mr.  Frelinghuysen  preached  the  first 
sermon  in  this  building,  and,  by  being  repaired,  refitted,  and  painted, 
it  continued  to  suffice  as  a  place  of  worship  for  ninety-five  years.  In 
the  mean  time,  the  congregation  had  increased  in  numbers,  the 
ministry  in  it  had  been  blessed,  and  it  had  grown  up  to  be  one  of 
the  most  respectable  churches  in  Somerset  County — not  Somerset, 
for  the  change  of  location  had  not  only  given  it  a  new  name,  but  had 
also  transferred  it  into  Hunterdon  County.  N"evertheless,  a  large 
portion  of  the  people — at  this  time,  at  least — resided  in  Somerset. 
Being  in  the  township  of  Readington,  it  took  that  name  and  became 
incorporate  by  that  title,  and,  in  effect,  the  old  church  of  ISTorth- 
Branch  became  extinct. 

The  new  church  at  Readington  was  built  in  1833,  under  the 
ministry  of  the  Rev.  John  Van  Liew.  It  was  51  feet  in  breadth  by 
71  in  length.  It  was  dedicated  by  a  sermon  from  the  pastor  founded 
on  2  Chronicles  7  :  1,  "And  the  glory  of  the  Lord  filled  the  house." 
It  stood  thirty-one  years,  and  was  consumed  by  fire  in  March,  1864, 
but  replaced  at  once  by  a  larger,  better,  and  more  beautiful  house, 
56  feet  by  76,  and  dedicated  July'2lst,  1805,  by  a  sermon  from  the 
same  pastor,  from  Haggai  2:9,"  The  glory  of  this  latter  house  shall 
be  greater  than  of  the  former,  saitli  the  Lord  of  hosts  :  and  in  this 
place  will  I  give  peace,  saith  the  Lord  of  hosts."  The  dedicatory 
prayer  was  offered  by  Rev.  Dr.  Gabriel  Ludlow,  of  Neshanic,  and 
the  sermon  and  prayer  published.  Before  this,  Mr.  Van  Liew  had 
been  honored  with  the  degree  of  D.D.  by  Rutgei's  College,  New- 
Brunswick. 

During  the  ministry  of  T.  J.  Frelinghuysen  the  church  of  North- 
Branch  formed  part  of  his  charge,  and  enjoyed  its  share  of  his  labors. 


HISTORICAL   NOTES.  245 

It  again  united  with  Raritan  and  Millstone  in  calling  his  son,  John 
Frelinghuysen,  as  pastor.  A  copy  of  tliat  call  is  recorded  in  the 
minutes  of  the  consistory  both  of  Raritan  and  North-Branch,  dated 
May  18th,  1747.  But  it  has  no  signatures,  and  apparently  was  not 
considered  as  of  any  importance,  being  not  the  instrument  itself,  but 
only  a  copy. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  great  consistory  of  the  three  united  congrega- 
tions, on  the  21st  of  August,  1750,  (the  minutes  of  which  were  re- 
corded in  the  book  belonging  to  Raritan,)  we  find  the  first  record  of 
church  officers  under  John  Frelinghuysen.  It  is  stated  tbere  that  a 
new  consistory  was  chosen  for  North-Branch,  consisting  of  two  elders 
and  one  deacon,  namely,  Jan  Van  Neste  and  Peter  Montfort,  as 
elders,  in  the  place  of  Jan  Van  Neste  and  Abraham  Lametre  ;  for 
deacon,  Abraham  Dumont,  in  the  place  of  Nicholas  Wyckotf. 

This  election  was  made  by  an  agreement  which  looked  to  the  set- 
tlement of  the  disputes  existing  in  the  congregations,  as  recom- 
mended by  the  Coetus,  that  two  elders  and  two  deacons  should  be 
taken  from  Dominie  Frelinghuysen's  friends,  and  one  elder  and  one 
deacon  from  among  the  disaifected. 

On  the  15th  September,  1751,  the  case  was  again  brought  before 
the  Coetus — in  session  in  New-York — and  the  following  record  is 
found  in  the  published  minutes  of  that  session  :  "  North-Branch, — 
This  case,  it  was  determined,  should  be  taken  up  to-morrow,  [Septem- 
ber 12th,  forenoon.]  In  the  case  of  North-Branch  and  Raritan  the 
decision  of  the  reverend  Coetus  was,  that  the  disaffected  should  choose 
out  of  their  numbers  six  persons  ;  that  Dominie  Frelinghuysen,  with 
Ijis  consistory,  sliould  choose  two  out  of  the  six — that  is,  an  elder 
and  a  deacon — who,  being  ordained,  two  of  Dominie  Frelinghuysen's 
consistory  should  resign,  whereupon  the  former,  being  associated  with 
the  rest,  should  be  recognized  as  the  consistory,  all  expenses  to  be 
borne  in  proj)ortion  by  each  ;  so  shall  all  error  and  dissatisfaction 
be  done  away  with  at  once." 

On  this  basis  on  the  25th  of  September  the  new  consistories  were 
chosen,  and  the  following  was  the  result:  For  Raritan,  as  elders  . 
Jeronimus  Van  Neste,  Peter  Willimse,  Jan  Van  Middleswaert ;  as 
deacons,  Pieter  Van  Neste,  Pieter  Stryker,  Frans  Cusaert.  For 
North-Branch,  Jerometan  Neste,  Pieter  Montfort,  Daniel  Sebring 
elders;  Marten  Ryerse,  Jan  Dumont,  and  Pieter  Schomp,  deacons. 

In  the  mean  time,  John  P''relinghuysen  having  died,  (September 
1754,)  liis  congregations  were  left  vacant.     Those  Avho  had  sympa- 
16 


-246  HISTORICAL   NOTES. 

thized  with  tlie  party  opposed  to  him  and  liis  father  at  Nortli-Branch 
took  this  opportunity  to  endeavor  to  further  their  own  views.  We 
quote  from  a  letter  to  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam  from  the  Conferentie 
party,  dated  November  9tli,  1756  :  "  We  turn  to  the  Raritan  congre- 
gation, made  vacant  by  tlie  death  of  Dominie  John  Frelinghuysen, 
where  for  two  years  they  liave  been  left  almost  watliout  any  divine 
service,  althougli  the  congregation  is  large  and  scattered,  and  affords 
■work  for  more  than  two  ministers.  A  great  f)art  of  the  congregation 
•was  induced  to  call  Dominie  Fryenmoet,  a  fugitive  minister  who  had 
heen  obliged  to  leave  his  place  through  danger  of  the  public  foe." 
'Tlie  place  he  left  was  Warwarsing.  The  foe  must  have  been  the 
'Indians,  for  it  was  in  the  midst  of  the  French  war.  "  But  a  com- 
mittee, or  circle  of  the  Coetus,  was  called  in,  who  did  what  they  could 
to  remove  him,  and  now  have  succeeded.'"  "  The  consequences  of 
this  can  not  be  other  than  bitter,  all  the  service  now  being  rendered 
by  those  wlio  call  themselves  the  Coetus,  to  the  dissatisfaction  of  the 
greater  portion  of  the  people." 

Ao-ain  we  quote:  "Another  instance  of  injury  to  the  church  is 
seen  in  the  complaint  of  a  committee  from  the  North-Branch  portion 
of  the  congregation  at  Raritan.  The  origin  of  the  dispute  there  was 
the  neglect  of  the  consistory  of  Raritan  and  the  associate  congrega- 
tions to  provide  suitable  ministerial  service  after  the  death  of  Dominie 
John  Frelinghuysen,  only  three  or  four  sermons  having  been  preached 
'*by  Low-Dutch  ministers  in  the  course  of  two  years.  Dominie 
Fryenmoet,  fleeing  before  the  public  enemy,  came  to  North-Branch, 
nnd  was  several  times  asked  by  the  consistory  there  to  officiate, 
which  he  did  with  so  much  accej^tance  that  many  members  of  the 
four  united  congregations  requested  that  he  might  preach  in  all  the 
-churches;  but  the  consistories  in  the  other  three  villages  refused,  no 
■doubt  because  of  their  engagements  to  a  certain  Hardenbergh,  who 
liad  married  the  widow  of  Dominie  Frelinghuysen.  The  adherents 
of  Dominie  Fryenmoet  being  by  far  the  greater  number  in  tlie  four 
-cono-regations,  bestirred  themselves  to  obtain  a  subscription  to  have 
him  for  their  lawful  minister;  but  the  consistory  opposed  this  with 
•all  their  might,  and  the  dispute  arose  so  liigh  that  each  party  called 
in  the  circle*  to  settle  it.  The  proceedings  of  the  circle  were  so 
manifold  that  we  can  not  mention  them;  withal,  not  obscm-ely  show- 
ino-  partisanship,  that  we  can  not  relate  them.  But  we  must  men- 
ition  one  thing,  namely,  that  the  adherents  of  Dominic  Fryenmoet 

*  Equivalent  to  a  classis  or  committee. 


HISTORICAL   NOTES.  247 

promised  to  raise  the  whole  salary  for  him,  and  offered,  further,  if  the 
others  would  call  any  lawful  minister  whom  they  preferred,  (seeing 
the  congregation  required  two,)  that  they  would  assist  in  paying 
him.  Still  they  could  not  agree,  and  Dominie  Fryenmoet  had  to  go 
away. 

"  An  elder  and  two  deacons  of  North-Branch,  consulting  together 
without  the  knowledge  of  two  elders  and  another  deacon,  their  asso- 
ciates, requested  Dominie  Leydt  to  preach  there  and  choose  a  new 
consistory.  When  the  time  came  to  carry  out  the  plan,  they  niade 
it  known  to  the  others,  and  wished  them  to  aid  in  making  the  choice  ; 
but  they  protested  against  it,  as  almost  the  whole  congregation  after- 
w^ard  did,  as  being  opposed  to  the  church  orders  and  the  ancient 
usage  of  the  church.  Notwithstanding,  the  election  was  had,  and, 
immediately  afterward,  the  ordination  also,  which  compelled  the  re- 
maining lawful  members,  after  the  lapse  of  four  months,  (for  they 
could  not  side  with  the  newly  chosen,  and  the  old  ones  who  went 
out  would  not  act  with  them,)  to  make,  with  their  '  consalent ' 
Dominie  Dh  Ronde,  a  new  filling  up  of  the  consistory,  in  order  to 
heal  the  bi-eaoh,  and,  as  such,  they  have  sought  to  maintain  the 
church  in  the  right. 

"The  nQ\y  consistory,  together  with  the  consistories  of  the  other 
three  villages,  have  made  and  executed  a  call  upon  the  so-called  stu- 
dent Hardenbergh,  who  was  examined  and  qualified  before  the  con- 
gregation as  minister  by  those  who  style  themselves  the  Coetus,  who 
yet  had  no  proper  business  with  that  call,  not  only  because  of  the 
things  above  stated,  but  becixuse  the  student  was  an  unfit  person, 
not  having  made  the  least  proficiency  in  what  belongs  to  the  ministe- 
rial office,  and  having  been,  by  the  acknowledgment  of  all,  under  the 
instruction  of  a  teacher  only  two  years  at  the  farthest.  Besides,  he 
was  qualified  without  the  order  of  either  classis  or  synod.  They 
cannot,  therefore,  but  separate  from  those  who  thus  act,  and  they  re- 
quest the  aid  of  the  classis  to  provide  tliein  a  minister  from  the 
classis." 

This  letter  is  signed  by  Ilagehoort,  jNIancius,  Retzema,  De  Ronde, 
Fryenmoet,  Rubel,  Rosenkrantz,  and  Schuyler.  We  have  thus 
allowed  them  to  tell  their  own  story,  and  put  in  a  j)lea  for  their  own 
cause,  and  the  result  is,  we  believe,  in  the  estimation  of  all,  that  they 
were  prejudiced  men,  men  of  rule  and  law,  and  not  of  candor,  pru- 
dence, and  earnestness  in  the  pursuit  of  great  ends  in  the  midst  of  no 
ordinary  emergencies   and   difficulties ;    "  jiien    of  one   idea.'''*     The 


248  HISTOEICAL   NOTES. 

church  could  not  have  been  built  up  by  them.  They  would  have 
allowed  a  thousand  things  to  be  undone,  because  some  rule,  in  their 
estimation  at  least,  forbade  the  doing,  but  not  because  it  was  not 
riglit  that  they  should  be  done.  Evidently  tiiey  meant  to  bring  in 
at  North-Branch  a  man  of  their  own  views,  in  order  to  strengthen 
their  adlierents  there,  and  they  were  bitterly  disappointed  when  not 
able  to  do  it.  Properly  understood,  their  case  condemns  itself 
Their  sneers  at  Hardenbergh  are  in  bad  taste,  and  tlie  results  proved 
that  they  were  nnjust,  and  would  have  been  unfortunate  in  their  re- 
sults. We  proceed,  after  having  allowed  the  malcontents  to  state 
their  case. 

The  next  record  is  dated  June  14th,  1758,  after  the  Rev.  Jacob 
Rutsen  Hardenbergh  had  been  called  and  settled  over  the  five  united 
congregations  of  Raritan,  North-Branch,  Millstone,  Neshanic,  and 
Bedminster.  It  states  that  Andrew  Ten  Eyck  was  chosen  elder  in 
the  place  of  Nicholas  WyckofF,  and  Pieter  Montfort,  in  the  place  of 
Francis  Waldron,  and  as  deacon,  Harmanus  Lane,  in  the  place  of 
Derick  Sebring.  Again,  June  15th,  1759,  consistory  met  at  the 
house  of  Andrew  Ten  Eyck,  and  chose,  as  elder,  Jan  Van  Neste,  in 
the  place  of  Pieter  Wortmau,  and  Cornelius  Bouwman,  in  place  of 
Johannes  Pittenger,  deacon.  Again,  April  2Gth,  1760,  at  the  house 
of  Andreas  Ten  Eyck,  were  admitted  to  the  communion  of  the 
church,  on  confession  of  faith,  Petrus  Van  Neste,  Mattheus  Ten  Eyck, 
and  Maria  Van  Arsdalen,  wife  of  Dirck  Sebring.  August  4th,  1760, 
the  consistory  elected  were,  Teunis  Post  and  Johannes  Pittenger,  in 
the  place  of  Pieter  Montfort  and  Andreas  Ten  Eyck,  elders;  and 
Matthaes  Ten  Eyck,  in  the  place  of  David  Van  Duyne,  deacon. 
December  14th,  1761,  as  elder,  Andreas  Ten  Eyck,  in  the  place  of 
Jan  Van  Neste  ;  as  deacon,  David  Van  Duyne,  in  the  j)lace  of  Har- 
manus Lane.  January  12th,  1762,  received,  on  confession,  Nicholas 
Egbort  and  Jannetie  Corse,  wife  of  Edward  Harrinton.  January  2d, 
1764,  as  elder,  Teunis  Post,  in  the  place  of  Andreas  Ten  Eyck,  and,  as 
deacons,  Harmanus  Lane  and  Michael  De  Mott,  in  the  places  of 
David  Van  Duyne  and  Peter  Van  Neste.  December  31st,  1764,  ad- 
mitted to  communion,  on  confession,  Derick  Sutphin  and  Petrus 
Nevius,  from  Bedminster,  and  Catherine  Buun,  wife  of  Edward 
Bunn,  Neeltije  Montfort,  wife  of  Abraham  Montfort,  and  Catherine 
Sutphin,  wife  of  Peter  Sutphin. 

November  4th,  1773,  a  meeting  of  the  consistories  of  Raritan, 
North-Branch,  Bedminster,  and  New-Millstone  convened  at  the  house 


HISTORICAL    NOTES.  249 

of  Ryniei'  Van  Neste,  in  view  of  calling  Dominie  Christian  F.  Foering 
as  a  colleague  of  Dominie  Hardenbergli,  and  admitting  New-Mill- 
stone into  the  united  charges.  At  this  meeting  it  was  agreed  that 
a  new  church  was  to  be  built  uear  Cornelius  Van  Horn's,  and  arranf^-e- 
ments  were  made  to  have  it  supplied  by  the  two  collegiate  pastors; 
and,  as  the  old  and  new  churches  are  both  mentioned  and  provided 
for,  it  api)ears  that  services  were  intended  to  be  held — at  that  date, 
at  least — in  both  places;  but  the  whole  effort  was  a  failure,  from 
Dominie  Foering  declining  the  call. 

The  last  minute  relating  to  North-Branch  which  we  sliall  co]')y  from 
the  Raritan  records  is  a  meeting  of  consistory  at  the  house  of  Michael 
De  Mott,  January  10th,  1'7V4,  when  Jacob  Bogert  and  wife,  Cathe- 
rine Albertsen,  and  Margaretta  De  Mott,  wife  of  Jacob  De  Mott, 
were  received  into  the  communion  of  the  church  on  certificate,  and 
AVilliam  Van  Vliet,  Albert  Cornell  and  his  wife  Antje  Stryker,  Jo- 
hanna Stoothoff,  wife  of  Abraham  Daraont,  Jr.,  Lea  Simonson,  wife 
of  Jan  Snediker,  and  Marya  Dorlandt,  wife  of  Cornelius  Metzelaer, 
were  received  on  confession  of  faith.  Rev.  J.  R.  Hardenbergh  con- 
tinued to  serve  the  church  until  1781,  when  he  resigned  his  call  and 
resnoved  to  Rochester,  New-York,  taking  possession  of  the  Harden- 
bergh manor-house,  and  preaching  to  that  people  for  a  short  time. 
He  was  then^  called  to  the  presidency  of  Queen's  College,  and  re- 
moved to  New-Brunswick,  serving,  at  the  same  time,  as  pastor  of  the 
church. 

We  have  given  these  extracts  from  the  minutes  of  Raritan,  as  sup- 
plying a  hiatus  in  the  North-Branch  book,  which,  from  1757  to  1781, 
contains  no  records  whatever.  September  11th,  1781,  the  consistory 
met  at  the  liouse  of  Peter  Duinont,  and  fixed  upon  a  line  between  it 
and  Bedminster.  Again,  March  7th,  1782,  at  Abraham  Dumont's, 
and  decided  to  take  up  the  call  sent  to  Rev.  Dirck  Romeyn,  unless 
he  should  have  concluded  to  accept  it.  June  19th,  they  met  again 
at  Peter  Dumont's,  and  consulted  as  to  the  way  in  wiiich  they  might 
succeed  in  having  divine  service  performed  in  the  congregation. 
This  eventuated  in  the  calling  of  Simeon  Van  Arsdalen.  The  first 
minutes  signed  by  l\im  are  a  meeting  of  consistory  at  the  house  of 
John  Simonson,  Esq.,  January  15th,  1784. 

We  have  noticed  the  disaffection  toward  Hardenbergh  on  the  part 
of  a  ihw  people.  When  he  had  left,  the  same  individuals,  for  a  time, 
were  supplied  by  Gerrit  Leydecker,  a  licentiate  of  the  Conferentie 
party.     His  name  occurs  first  on  their  minutes  June  20th,  1764,  re- 


250  HISTOKICAL   NOTES. 

questing  tlio  assembly  to  unite  in  his  behalf  to  tlie  Chassis  of  Amster- 
dam for  liberty  to  ordain  him.  To  this  the  olassis  assented,  and 
recommended  him  in  the  strongest  terms  as  one  "taught  from  hia 
youth  in  Latin  and  Greek,  and  also  as  having  studied  four  years  in 
the  College  of  New-Jersey  under  President  Burr,  and  received  the 
degree  of  A.M.,  and  then  spent  a  year  and  a  half,  under  Dominie  Ret- 
zema,  in  divinity,  and  in  Hebrew,  under  Dominie  Kals."  He  was 
examined  October  8th,  1705,  and  licensed  as  a  candidate.  He  lias, 
however,  left  no  trace  on  the  minutes  of  being  at  North-Branch  at 
all,  tliougli  it  is  known  from  other  sources  that  he  preaclied  thei'e  in 
1769  for  some  time.  He  settled,  finally,  in  the  English  Neighbor- 
hood in  1770,  remained  until  1776,  became  a  Tory,  fled  to  New-York, 
then  to  England,  and  died  at  the  liouse  of  his  son,  in  Pentonville, 
near  London,  in  1794. 

In  17S3,  after  a  vacancy  of  two  years  from  the  resignation  of  Dr. 
Hardenbergh,  the  candidate  Simeon  Van  Arsdale  preached  at  Read- 
iiigton,  and  received  the  call.  He  was  a  native  of  Bucks  County, 
Pa  ,  gi-aduated  at  Princeton,  studied  under  Livingston,  it  is  said,  and 
applied  for  examination  to  the  general  meeting  of  ministers  at  Mill- 
stone, October  1st,  l782.  "After  a  well-arranged  and  agreeable 
exvercise  upon  Romans  8  :  32,  he  was  subsequently  carefully  exa- 
mined by  Messrs.  Dirck  Romeyn  and  Hermanns  Meyer  in  the  sacred 
languages  and  principal  points  of  sacred  theology,  both  positive  and 
controversial,  and,  by  his  ajjpropriate  answers,  aiforded  such  satisfac- 
tion that  tlie  reverend  body  feel  the  freedom  to  receive  him  among 
the  licentiates."  He  was  again  examined  for  ordination  at  New- 
Paltz,  October  7-9th,  1783,  and  the  Rev.  Messrs.  John  M.  Van  Har- 
lingen,  Solomon  Froeligh,  and  Benjamin  Dubois  were  appointed  to 
ordain  and  install  him,  the  time  being  left  to  be  fixed  by  tliem. 
They  reported  the  fulfijhnent  of  their  commission  to  the  general 
meeting  in  New-York  in  May,  1784,  and  thus  he  became,  to  the  satis- 
faction of  all  parties,  pastor  of  Readington.  He  is  remembered  as 
one  of  the  most  amiable  and  accomplished  young  men  of  his  day. 
He  possessed  both  eloquence  and  power  as  a  preacher,  was  untiring 
in  his  pastoral  work  and  ardent  in  his  piety.  He  received,  soon 
after  his  ordination,  a  call  from  the  collegiate  churches  in  New- York, 
but  declined  it  on  account  of  his  youth.  His  beautiful  life  came  to 
an  early  and  sudden  close  in  less  than  three  years.  His  remains  lie 
in  the  church-yard  at  Readington,  with  the  following  inscription  on 
the  tablet  erected  at  the  head  of  his  grave;  "'In  memoi'y  of  the  Rev. 


HISTORICAL   NOTES.  "  251 

Simeon  Van  Arsdale,  who  departed  this  life  the   2GLli  day  of  May, 
1786,  in  tlie  thirty-tliird  year  of  liis  age. 

"  Here  lies  entombed  a  servant  of  the  Lord, 
A  faithful  preacher  of  his  sacred  word, 
Who  now  with  Clirist  in  glory  is  set  down, 
Decked  in  white  robes  and  honored  with  a  crown." 

He  was  succeeded,  the  same  year,  in  his  pastoral  cliarge  by  the 
candidate  Peter  Studdiford.  Mr.  Studdiford  was  born  in  tlie  city  of 
New-York;  studied  under  Livingston,  and  was  licensed  by  the  synod 
in  New-Yori:  May  1st,  1787,  and  arrangements  made  for  his  ordina- 
tion, at  the  same  time,  on  the  2Sth,  and  J.  R,  Hardenbergli,  John  M. 
Van  Harlingen,  Jr.,  and  Jolm  Duryea  were  appointed  to  perform  that 
sei'vice,  the  sermon  to  be  preaclied  by  Dr.  Hardenbergli.  Mr.  Stud- 
diford  preached  at  Bedminster,  in  connection  with  Readington,  until 
1800,  and  then  at  Readington  alone  until  his  deatli.  His  long  pas- 
torate fills  up  a  large  portion  of  the  history  of  tlie  congregation.  He 
is  remembered  as  one  of  the  most  efficient  ministers  of  his  day.  Rev. 
Dr.  Van  Liew  has  said  of  him,  "  The  records  show  that,  for  years 
after  he  commenced  his  labors  in  this  place,  there  were  large  acces- 
sions to  the  church.  At  the  time  of  the  great  ingathering  in  the 
church  at  Somerville  there  was  a  considerable  ingathering  also 
here."  His  ministry  lasted  about  forty  years.  Another  says,  "Pie 
had  readiness  and  aptness  as  an  extempore  preacher  which  lew  pos- 
sess, almost  transcending  himself  when  suddenly  called  upon  to  take 
the  place  of  an  absentee.  Instances  of  this  we  have  often  heard  re- 
lated. Such  efforts  would  seem  to  have  all  the  finish  and  even  more 
than  the  force  of  elaborate  pre])aratioi)s."  He  died  in  his  own  house 
at  South-Branch  Mills.  His  remains  lie  at  Readington,  beside  those 
of  Simeon  Van  Arsdale,  and  the  following  inscri[)tion  is  engraven  on 
his  tomb:  "Beneath  this  tablet  lie  the  remains  of  the  Rev.  Peter 
Studdiford,  who,  after  a  long  and  laborious  ministry,  died  on  No- 
vember 21st,  A.D.  1826,  in  the  sixty-fourth  year  of  his  age.  He  was 
born  in  the  city  of  New-York,  a.d.  1763.  Having  completed  his 
collegiate  and  theological  studies  in  the  place  of  his  birth,  he  was 
installed  pastoi-  of  the  Dutch  Reformed  church  of  North-Branch. 
Here  he  continued  to  labor  with  unabated  zeal  and  diligence,  until 
visited  by  the  sickness  which  issued  in  his  death.  Possessing  en- 
arged  views  of  divine  truth  and  a  rich  store  of  various  knowledge, 
he  was  ready,  instructive,  and  forcible  in  his  preaching.     lie  loved 


^  252  HISTOPJCAL   NOTES. 

his  Master's  work,  and  slirunk  not  from  labor  in  its  performance. 
As  a  pastor  he  was  affectionate  and  faithful ;  as  a  citizen,  ti-uly 
patriotic;  as  a  neighbor,  benevolent,  candid,  and  obliging;  and 
as  a  Christian,  humble,  devout,  and  liberal."  He  married  in 
early  life,  and  his  wife  sleeps  beside  him.  Her  tombstone  is 
inscribed,  "Sacred  to  the  )neraory  of  Phoebe,  wife  of  the  Rev. 
Peter  Studdiford,  and  only  daughter  of  James  and  Lavinia  Van- 
derveer,  of  the  township  of  Bedminster  and  county  of  Somerset. 
She  departed  this  life  March  IVth,  1S08,  aged  thirty-three  years 
nine  mouths  and  eleven  days. 

"  As  tlirongli  life  religion  was  lier  stay. 
So,  in  her  dying  hour, 
Through  its  triumphing  power. 
With  joy  she  hailed  the  reahns  of  day." 

Later  in  life  he  married  Maria  Van  Horm,  who  long  survived 
him,  and  died  in  Somerville  at  the  house  of  Jier  daughter,  Mrs. 
Ruckel. 

Mr.  Studdiford  was  succeeded,  in  1828,  by  the  Rev.  John  Van 
Liew.  He  was  called  May  1st,  1827,  and  died  October  18th, 
1869,  at  the  hoiise  of  his  daughter,  Mi"s.  Randolph,  in  Bloomfield, 
Essex  County,  N.  J.,  after  laboring  in  his  pastorship  for  forty- 
two  years.  He  was  a  son  of  Dennis  and  Maria  (Sujdam)  Van 
Liew,  and  was  born  at  Neshanic  September  30th,  1798.  He  gra- 
duated at  Queen's  College  October.  1816,  studied  in  the  theologi- 
cal seminary  at  New-Brunsvvick,  and  was  licensed  by  the  Classis 
of  New-Brunswick  June,  1820,  He  welcomed  to  the  communion, 
during  his  ministry  at  Readington,  560  persons,  and  baptized 
1119  infants  and  85  adults.  As  a  minister  he  was  faithful,  able, 
devoted ;  as  a  man,  social,  kind,  generous,  and  the  very  soul  of 
honor — a  Christian  gentleman.  His  funeral  sermon,  by  Rev.  Henry 
P.  Thompson,  of  Peapack,  a  member  of  his  cliui'ch,  was  published, 
and  to  it  we  refer  for  an  ample  description  of  his  labors  and  his 
character.  He  was  entombed  in  the  new  ceinetery  near  his 
church,  and  the  following  is  the  inscription  on  his  monument : 
"  Erected  to  the  memory  of  Rev.  John  Van  Liew,  D.D.,  Avho  died 
October  18th,  a.d.  1869,  aged  seventy-one  years  and  nineteen 
days.  For  forty-eight  years  he  served  the  blessed  Master  in  the 
gospel  ministry ;  for  forty-three  years  he  was  the  faithful  pastor 
of  the  Reformed  Church  at  Readington.     Living  we  loved  him, 


HISTORICAL   NOTES.  253 

dead  wo  cherish  his  memory,  glorified  we  will  meet  him  in  the 
heavenly  world." 

A  few  months  before  his  death,  in  consequence  of  his  enfeebled 
health  and  inability  to  continue  his  pastoral  duties,  he  had  been 
succeeded  by  J.  G.  Van  Slyke,  who  was  ordained  and  installed 
July  1st,  1869,  Mr,  Van  Liew  assisting  in  the  service  and  offering 
the  ordaining  prayer.  He  then  went  away  to  the  house  of  his 
daughter  to  rest ;  but  he  rested  soon  in  his  grave,  to  labor  and 
son-ow  ijo  more.  Mr.  Van  Slyke  was  called  to  Jamaica,  on  Long 
Island,  the  next  year,  and  left  tlie  congregation.  It  is  now  under 
the  care  of  the  Rev.  J.  H.  Smock. 


/ 


7 


HARLINGEN,  OP   DE  MILLSTONE,  ^{^OURLAND,  ETC. 

This  church  was  organized  by  the  Rev.  Henricus  Cocns,  of 
Acquackanonk,  on  the  18th  of  May,  1|27,  and  the  first  church 
edifice  was  built  on  the  south-east  corner  of  the  old  cemetery. 
The  location  of  both  was  determined  by  a  land-grant  of  one 
hundi-ed  and  sixty  acres,  received  from  "the  proprietors,"  who 
held  nearly  9000  acres  in  the  vicinity,  and  donated  this  tract  for 
the  benefit  and  behoof  of  the  minister  and  consistoiy  of  a  church 
to  be  gathered  there,  upon  the  basis  of  the  confession  of  faith 
adopted  by  the  Synod  of  Dort,  or  Dordrecht,  in  1618  and  1619. 
This  deed  bears  date  June,  I7l0,  and  seems  to  have  been  kept  in 
reserve  for  seventeen  years  before  it  was  really  claimed,  and  the 
grant  rendered  permanent  by  occupancy  and  the  necessary  organi- 
zation of  the  church  provided  for  in  it.  What  was  the  character 
of  the  house  erected  is  not  known  ;  but  it  stood  on  the  south- 
cast  corner  of  the  cemetery,  and  was  for  some  time  in  the  pos- 
session of  the  malcontents  to  whom  Aroudiieus  preached  and 
over  Avhomhc  Avas  installed.  Like  the  otiier  early  church  edifices, 
it  was  very  contracted  in  dimensions  and  rude  in  structure.  The 
people  did  wliat  they  could  to  provide  a  place  for  religious  wor- 
shi]),  anil  it  was  not  much  ;  but  it  showed  their  zeal. 

Tiie  first  consistory  consisted  of  tw'o  elders  and  two  deacons, 
namely,  Abraham  Reyters  and  Geribrant  Peters,  elders  ;  Johannes 
Koelbagh  and  Resol vert  Waldron,  deacons;  and  the  church  was 


264:  HISTORICAL   NOTES. 

"the  Church  op  de  Millstone."  They  were  chosen  unanimously, 
as  stated,  at  the  house  of  Reynier  Veghte  on  the  18th  of  May, 
1727,  under  the  direction  of  Dominie  Henricus  Coens,  of  Aequacka- 
nonk,  after  calling  upon  the  revered  name  of  Almighty  God, 
by  all  those  who  feared  God  and  sought  to  build  up  his  church  ; 
which  persons,  after  they  had  been  published  to  the  congregation, 
were  on  the  same  day  ordained  and  installed  into  their  respective 
offices. 

Henricus  Coens  seems  to  be  as  little  known  as  almost  any 
minister  who  has  ever  exercised  his  gifts  in  the  Dutch  Cliurch, 
His  name  does  not  occur  in  any  of  the  published  documents 
which  we  have  seen ;  nor  are  we  able  to  state  when  he  came 
from  Holland.  It  must  have  been  as  early  as  1725,  for  in  that 
year  he  is  found  ministering  in  the  churches  of  Acquackanonk, 
Bellville,  •  Pomjiton,  and  Ponds  :  and  he  continued  his  ministry 
among  this  people  for  five  years.  He  wrote  to  Holland  a  detailed 
account  of  the  troubles  in  the  churches  of  Acquackanonk  and 
Bellville,  (or  Second  River,  as  it  then  was  called.)  He  died  in  1735, 
but  when  and  where  his  remains  were  interred  we  are  not  able  to 
gay.  His  ministry  and  death  both  antedate  our  published 
Minutes,  and  hence  there  is  no  trace  of  him  excepting  the  re- 
cords of  the  churches  where  he  labored. 

All  the  circumstances  seem  to  indicate  that  the  organization 
Avas  in  the  interest  of  "  the  Conf erentie  party,"  then  beginning  to 
be  active  in  the  affairs  of  the  church.  They  were  opponents  of 
Frelinghuysen  ;  they  held  the  church  for  a  time  ;  and  they  were 
supplied  by  ministers  belonging  to  that  party,  and  Rynier Veghte 
was  at  that  time  a  strenuous  partisan  in  their  favor.  Harlingeu 
for  a  time  Avas  the  centre  of  their  operations  and  influence.  We 
are  not  prej^ared  to  condemn  them  entirely,  but  certainly  circum- 
stances in  aftertimes  proved  that  they  were  in  the  wrong.  They 
were  many  of  them  conscientious  men,  no  doubt,  but  prejudiced 
and  partisan  to  a  very  large  extent. 

In  the  year  1729,  the  elders  at  Harlingen  were  Johannes  Koel- 
bagli  and  Resolvert  Waldron  ;  the  deacons,  Guysbert  Bogert, 
Casparus  Van  Nostrand,  and  Abraham  Hoover.  In  1734,  May 
9th,  at  the  house  of  Rynier  Veghte,  under  the  superintendence  of 
Dominie  Antonidus,  preacher  on  Long  Island,  after  invoking  the 
name  of  God,  the  following  persons  Avere  chosen  :  For  Millstone, 
(Harlingen,)  for  elders,  Koert  Voorhees  and  Daniel  Polhemus  ; 


HISTORICAL   NOTES.  255 

for  Threc-Mile  Run,  elders,  Simon  Wyckoff  and  Hendrick  Vroom  ; 
for  deacons,  Simon  Van  Wickelen  and  Denys  Van  Duyn  ;  for 
North-Branch,  for  elders,  Daniel  Scbring  and  Pieter  Kinne ; 
deacons,  William  Rose  and  Frans  Waldron,  and  they  were  installed 
before  the  congregation.  From  the  records  in  the  other  cliurches 
it  would  seem  tliat  the  ordination  was  in  the  Three-Mile  Run 
Church. 

This  record  is  an  anomaly,  and  can  only  be  explained,  it 
seems  to  us,  by  supposing  that  these  consistories  were  chosen  out 
of  the  disaffected  in  these  congregations ;  and  how  such  a  man  as 
Antonidus  should  have  done  such  a  thing  is  almost  marvelous. 
It  is  not  in  accordance  with  his  spii'it ;  but  things  were  loose  and 
many  irregularities  perpetrated,  Dom.  Vincentius  Antonideus 
came  out  to  New-Amsterdam  in  1705,  and  preached  at 
Brooklyn",  Flatlands,  and  Flatbusli,  and  Bushwick,  New-Utrecht, 
and  Gravesend  until  1744,  when  he  died.  His  name  does  not 
seem  to  occur  as  having  been  present  in  any  of  the 
meetings  of  Coetus  or  Conferentie,  and  a  paper  of  that 
day  says  of  him  "that  he  was  a  gentleman  of  extensive 
learning,  of  an  easy,  condescending  behavior  and  conversation, 
and  of  a  regular,  exemplary  piety,  endeavoring  to  practice  him- 
self what  he  preached  to  others  ;  was  kind,  benevolent,  and  cha- 
ritable to  all  according  to  his  ability  ;  meek,  humble,  patriotic, 
and  resigned  under  all  his  losses  and  afflictions,  his  misfortunes  and 
calamities,  which  befell  him  in  his  own  person  and  family.  It  is  not> 
therefore,  anywhere  stated  what  his  leaning  was  in  the  emergen- 
cies of  the  times,  but  certainly  his  ordaining  these  consistories  in 
Mr.  Frelinghuysen's  charge  must  be  considered  as  an  unjustifiable 
and  irregular  proceeding.  It  was  really  the  organization  and 
the  commencement  of  a  division  in  these  churches  which  lasted 
until  the  General  Convention  of  l77l.  Tliey  actually  took  pos- 
session themselves  of  the  church,  and  obligt'd  the  others  to  build 
themselves  a  new  house  of  worship. 

The  disaffection  was  encouraged  and  stimulated  by  a  very  dif- 
ferent person  in  tlie  years  1745,  1740,  and  1747.  Dom.  Johannes 
Arondeus,  also  a  preacher  on  Long  Island  from  1742  to  1747, 
when  he  was  finally  suspended  by  the  Coelus,  came  and  preached 
among  these  people.  He  actually  had  himself  installed  in  IMay, 
1747,  though  he  liad  no  dismission  from  the  churches  on  Long 
Island,  in  the  very  churches  and  congregations  under  the  pastoral 


256  HISTORICAL    NOTES. 

supervision  of  T.  J.  Frelinghuysen,  through  the  co-operation  of 
Fryenmoet,  and  remained  until  June,  1748,  when  he  went  away 
as  suddenly  as  he  had  come  and  in  the  same  irregular  way.  He 
meanwhile  preached  and  baptized  children,  the  records  of  which 
are  still  existing  in  the  baptismal  books  of  Harlingen  and  Read- 
ington.  The  whole  number  from  the  diiFerent  congregations 
araouiits  to  100  ;  but  the  names  of  the  parents  for  the  most  part, 
as  they  are  given  in  the  record,  do  not  embrace  those  who  really 
were  the  staid,  intelligent,  and  better  class  of  the  religious  people, 
though  a  few  most  honored  names  are  found  among  them.  This 
is  particularly  true  of  Raritan,  with  which  our  acquaintance  is 
more  thorough.  Of  this  trouble  in  Israel,  Rev.  Mr.  Corwin  says, 
"  He  was  a  very  headstrong  and  contrary  man.  The  civil  and 
ecclesiastical  records  constantly  refer  to  him,  but  only  to  present 
him  in  an  unenviable  character.  He  was  a  violent  opponent  of 
the  Coetus.  He  went  so  far  as  to  have  himself  installed  pastor 
of  the  cliurclies  in  Somerset  County  by  Fryenmoet,  and  minis- 
tered there  among  the  enemies  of  Frelinghuysen.  The  Harlingen 
records  were  taken  possession  of  by  his  party,  and  his  ecclesias- 
tical acts  recorded  in  them,  for  all  the  surrounding  churches." 

After  a  long  and  factious  resistance  to  the  efforts  of  the  Coetus 
to  bring  him  to  terms  and  prevent  contention,  the  following 
minute,  prepared  by  Dom.  Ritzema  and  the  Elder  Hendrick 
Fisher,  was  passed  April  16th,  ]  752  :  "  It  is  hereby  made  known  to 
you  that  the  decision  of  the  Rev.  Classis  made  Sept.  14th,  1750, 
and  confirmed  by  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Amsterdam,  Jan.  12th,  1751, 
in  relation  to  the  question  of  the  lawfulness  and  unlawfulness  of 
ministry  of  Dom.  John  Arondeus  in  Kings  County,  must  take  effect. 
Thus  Dom.  U.  Van  Sinderen  is  to  be  recognized  as  lawful  minis- 
ter in  Kings  County,  and  Dom.  John  Arondeus  as  unlawful,  and 
therefore  not  authorized  to  administer  the  word  and  sacrament 
in  the  Hollandish  churches  on  Long  Island.  So  that  each  and 
every  one  whom  it  concei*ns,  professing  to  be  a  member  of  the 
Netherlandish  Church  and  under  the  church  orders  established 
in  the  National  Synod  at  Dordrecht,  1618  and  1619,  is  to  show 
himself  obedient  to  the  foregoing  action,  which  the  assembly  ex- 
pects. Done  in  our  meeting  in  the  Consistory  Chambers,  New- 
York,  this  16th  April,  1752. 

"In  the  afternoon,  Dominie  Arondeus  and  his  friends  askel  for 
a  copy  of  the  proceeding.  The  request  was  granted,  on  condition 
of  their  paying  for  it. 


HISTORICAL   NOTES,  257 

"  Then  advice  was  asked,  1.  What  was  to  be  done  about  tlie 
non-2)ayment  of  sahuy  by  the  subscribers  to  Dom.  Van  Sinderen's 
call  ?  Ans.  They  are  referred  to  the  previous  action  of  the 
assembly.  2.  What  is  to  be  done  with  those  who  were  admitted 
as  church  members  during  Dom.  Ai'ondeus's  irregular  sojourn  on 
the  island  ?  Ans.  It  is  referred  to  the  prudence  of  Dom.  Van 
Sinderen  and  his  consistory.  3.  How  is  Dom.  Arondeus  and  his 
consistory  to  be  treated  ?  Ans.  The  minister  being  disapproved 
the  consistory  must  be  also ;  consequently  the  church  property 
must  be  restored,  to  Dom.  Van  Sinderen  and  his  consistory." 

Finally,  Sept.  loth,  1753,  the  conclusion  seems  to  have  been 
effectually  reached.  "  The  sentence  before  pronounced  upon  Aron- 
deus, ratified,  by  the  Rev.  Classis,  at  last  executed  in  their  name, 
and  again  confirmed  on  certain  conditions,  must  hold  good,  so 
that  he  can  no  longer  be  a  minister  among  you." 

After  this  the  name  of  the  factious  troubler  disappears  from 
the  records,  and  he  died  in  disgrace. 

On  the  loth  January,  1749-50,  the  congregation  met  and  re- 
solved to  build  a  church  near  Hendrick  Canada's,  on  the  land 
of  Jan  Van  Dyke.  This  church  was  finished  in  1752,  and  the 
minutes  of  consistory  contain  a  beautifully  written  agreement 
for  the  heading  of  a  subscription,  stating  the  object,  the  condi- 
tions, and  the  several  privileges  of  the  subscribers  in  regard  to 
pews  and  other  necessary  arrangements.  The  subscription 
amounted  to  about  £400.  The  building  committee  was  Peter 
Nievins,  Johannes  Strycker,  Garret  Dorlandt,  Abraham  Van  Ai"s- 
dalen,  and  Koelof  Van  Dyke.  The  old  "  Conferentie  Church" 
at  the  burying-ground.  Avas  finally  left  to  itself,  and  after  a  time 
demolished. 

The  church  so  {provided  for  and  built  was  the  one  which  was 
erected  by  those  who  did  not  sympathize  with  Arondeus  or 
with  "  the  Conferentie  party,"  and  the  location  was  the  same 
as  the  one  now  occupied  by  the  Ilarlingen  Church.  The  edifice 
erected  is  represented  as  "  being  in  the  Dutch  style  of  architec- 
ture, with  high  gables  and  steep  roof,  an  aisle  on  one  side,  from 
which  a  door  opened.  Along  the  sides  were  short  pews  for  the 
men,  wliile  the  body  of  the  church  was  divided  into  small  squares 
occupied  by  chairs  on  which  sat  the  women  and  children." 

About  this  time  the  church  left  off  the  name  "op  de  Millstone," 
and  Avas  called  the  Church  of  Sourland.      The  articles  agreed 


-.  258  HISTORICAL   NOTES. 

upon  are  sensible  and  proper  :  "  Every  one  having  a  seat  in  the 
churcli,  it  is  provided,  shall  agree  to  and  stand  by  the  following 
articles;  and  if  any  shall  be.  disposed  hereafter  to  sell  his  seat, 
the  purchaser  shall  be  in  duty  bound  to  agree  to  and  come  un- 
der the  said  articles,  bj^  subscribing  to  them.  And  2d.  If  the 
owner  of  one  or  more  seats  shall  die,  his  nearest  heir  is  the  next 
owner,  to  have  and  occupy  the  same."  It  then  goes  on  in  the  same 
careful  way,  to  provide  that  the  church  shall  be  for  a  Low-Dutch 
Reformed  preacher,  lawfully  called  and  sent.  "The  plan  of  the 
building  shall  be  such  as  the  building  committee  think  best  and 
approve  of.  What  every  person  subscribes  shall  be  a  free  gift 
thereto  ;  and  for  every  pound  subscribed  by  each,  he  will  be  in 
duty  bound  to  work  in  proportion,  whenever  the  building  com- 
mittee think  it  necessary,  with  wagon  and  horse,  or  otherwise 
Avith  a  liand  by  the  day ;  and  if  he  fails  to  come,  when  warned 
out  by  the  committee,  his  fine  shall  be  four  shillings  per  day ; 
and  if  he  fails  turning  out  Avith  wagon  and  horse,  when  notified, 
his  fine  shall  be  eight  shillings  per  day.  For  this  building  five 
men  shall  be  chosen  by  the  present  meeting,  to  carry  on  and  com- 
plete the  same,  and  to  collect  the  money  subscribed  for  it.  When 
the  building  is  finished,  the  committee  shall  have  the  seats  num- 
bered and  recorded  in  a  book  kept  for  that  purpose.  The  com- 
mittee shall  make  an  estimate  of  the  money  advanced  by  sub- 
scribers, and  proportion  it  on  the  different  seats,  according  to 
their  value,  so  that  all  the  seats  go  regularly  to  the  subscribers 
in  proportion  to  tlie  money  advanced  by  them."  Then  follow 
some  minor  regulations;  and  then  it  is  agreed,  "That  three 
church  masters  must  be  chosen  out  of  the  congregation,  to  whom 
the  building  committee  shall  account  for  all  moneys  received  and 
paid  out  by  them,  and  deliver  over  all  books  and  papers  to  then), 
respecting  tlie  building  of  the  church;  and  in  each  succeeding 
year,  there  shall  be  an  election  of  church  masters,  Avhen  two  new 
ones  are  to  be  chosen,  to  serve  in  the  place  of  two  who  are  to  go 
out  and  retire ;  and  those  going  out  of  office  are  strictly  to  ac- 
count to  those  elected  in  their  places,  and  deliver  over  to  them  all 
property,  books,  and  papers  belonging  to  the  church.  And  fur- 
ther, we,  the  subscribers,  do  hereby  bind  ourselves  and  our  several 
heirs,  and  all  those  who  occupy  seats  in  this  church,  to  stand  by 
these  foregoing  articles,  and  to  pay  the  suras  set  opjDOsite  our 
respective  names,  as  by  us  subscribed." 


HISTORICAL   NOTES.  259 

The  church  masters  appointed  on  tlie  ;iOth  day  of  Dccemher, 
1754,  were  Jan  Van  Dyck,  Henry  Canada,  and  Cornelius  Van 
Arsdalen.  They  were  succeeded,  in  1754,  by  John  Staats,  Ceysbert 
Lane,  and  Cornelius  Van  Arsdalen.  In  l7o9,  Derick  Gulick  and 
John  Van  Nuyse  took  the  jilace  of  Jan  Staats  and  Henry  Canada, 
and  the  catalogue  is  continued  until  1786. 

From  the  organization  of  the  Harlingen  church,  in  1727  to  l750, 
it  experienced  great  vicissitudes  and  changes.  It  was  not  served 
by  T.  J.  Frelinghuysen  except,  perhaps,  occasionally,  and  mainly 
depended  upon  the  minister  on  Long  Island  for  what  religious 
services  it  enjoyed;  yet  it  was  kept  alive,  and  seems  to  have 
had  its  communion  seasons  twice  in  each  year,  when  the  children 
were  admitted  to  the  ordinance  of  baptism.  We  can  not  give  the 
original  members  who  composed  it ;  but  between  1727  and  1742,  the 
following  were  received  on  certificate,  namely,  Auguts  25th,  1721, 
Geribrandt  Peterse,  Johannes  Koelberg,  Resolvert  Waldron,  An- 
netje  Waldron,  Maria  Cortsibrus,  Jannetje  INIeycrs  and  Jannetje 
Stienmets.  October  25th,  1727,  Jan.  Firkeyk,  April  3d,  1728,  Isaac 
Gouverneur,  Willem  Koos,  Jannetje  Coermans  (Coejemans),  Geer- 
tray  Staats,  Elizabeth  Krom,  and  Magdalena  Gouverneur ;  and  on 
confession,  Christina  Roelers  and  Susanna  Roelers.  June  19th, 
1728,  on  certificate,  Hendrick  Smock,  Johannes  Van  Iloute, 
Tryntje  Peterse,  Anna  Geertraid  Everse,  and  Anna  Woertman  j 
on  confession,  Cosparus  Van  Nostrand  and  Abraham  Slover.  Sept. 
11th,  1728,  on  confession,  Creesje  Runyen.  Nov.  6th,  1728,  on 
confession,  Lucus  Schermerhoorn  and  Sophia  Schermerhoorn, 
Aug.  11th,  1729,  on  certifixcate,  Dina  Kouvvenhoven.  April  15th, 
1730,  Marrietje  Lange.  June  10th,  17;30,  on  certificate,  Johanna 
Gouverneur.  Oct.  11th,  1730,  on  certificate,  Mitje  Van  Winke- 
len.  Oct.  14th,  1731,  on  certificate,  Asje  Van  Home ;  on  confession 
Helena  Van  Lieuven.  March  29th,  1732,  on  certificate,  Denys 
Van  Deuyne  and  his  wife ;  on  confession,  Simon  Van  Winkelen. 
Dec,  16th,  1732,  on  certificate,  Philip  Yong,  Jacob  Wynand,  Eva 
Thiese,  MarietjeTliiesc,  and  Marietje  Slover.  April  18th,  1746,  on 
certificate,  Machteltie  Van  Duyn,  wife  of  Hendrick  Staats.  Then 
follows  the  following  list  certified  as  being  in  the  communion,  but 
without  date,  namely,  Albert  Low,  Abraham  Dubois,  RynierVan 
Veghten,  Jan  Staats,  Rem  Ditmars,  Jovis  Bergen,  Cornelius  Low, 
Abraham  Hageman,  Reynier  Van  Angelen,  Abraham  Polhemus, 
Hendrick  Herder,  Johaimes  Gribling,  (probably  Sebring,)  Peter 


260  HITORICAL   NOTES. 

Couenoveii,  Susanna  Low,  Deyna  Van  Lieuven,  Helena  Van 
Lieuven,  Meria  BackAvier,  Goertie  Follemer,  Antie  Couwenhoven, 
Maria  Herder.  These  were  probably  tbe  malcontents  in  a  body, 
brought  by  Arondeus  to  strengthen  Jiis  hands  and  form  a  com- 
pany to  support  him. 

On  the  9th  of  April,  1752,  John  Frelinghuysen  records  on  the 
minutes  the  following  names  as  having  been  received  on  confes- 
sion of  faith,  namely,  Gertrey  Ammermar,  wife  of  Jacobus  Van 
Nuyse,  Gysbert  Zutphin,  and  Antie  Schenck,  wife  of  John  Gorden. 
A  better  day  had  at  last  dawned.  Harlingen  had  become  one 
of  the  associate  charges  of  a  man  who  sought  only  to  do  good 
and  preach  the  Gospel  in  its  simplicity  ;  but  alas  !  his  life  was  too 
short  to  effect  much. 

After  the  death  of  John  Frelinghuysen,  on  September  loth,  1V54, 
the  church  remained  vacant  until  1762,  when  it  was  associated  with 
Neshanic  in  a  call  upon  the  Rev.  Johannes  Martinus  Van  Har- 
lingen. His  ministry  was  a  long  one,  extending  to  1795,  when  he 
died  in  the  service  of  these  churches,  and  his  remains  were  inter- 
red under  the  pulpit,  and  when  the  church  was  rebuilt,  transferred 
to  the  buryingrground  on  the  old  parsonage  farm,  on  which  he 
had  resided  during  the  whole  period  of  his  service. 

"  He  was  the  son  of  Johannes  Martinus  Van  Harlingen,  a  native 
of  Amsterdam,  who  emigrated  when  a  young  man,  and  settled  at 
Harlem,  N.  Y.,  where  he  married  Maiia  Bussing,  and  soon  remov- 
ed to  Lawrence's  Brook,  near  New-Brunswick."  It  is  said  that  John 
M.  Van  Harlingen,  the  son  of  the  above,  was  born  near  Millstone. 
After  commencing  his  theological  course  he  went  to  Holland,  for 
the  double  purpose  of  obtaining  a  more  thorough  preparation  for 
the  ministry,  and  of  being  ordained  by  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam. 
After  completing  his  theological  course  at  one  of  the  universities 
of  Holland,  and  receiving  ordination,  he  returned  to  America. 
He  entered  upon  his  ministry  in  1762,  and  served,  bis  double 
charge  with  zeal  and  fidelity  for  thirty-tliree  years,  when  he  fell 
asleep,  universally  beloved  and  lamented.  He  preached  exclusively 
Dutch  until  toward  the  close  of  his  life,  when,  the  younger  part 
of  his  charge  requiring  English  sermons,  he  preached  occasionally 
in  that  language.  He  was  an  evangelical  preacher,  a  faithful 
pastor,  and  a  patron  of  learning.  He  Avas  a  member  of  the  origi- 
nal Board  of  Trustees  of  Queen's  College,  and  labored  for  its 
first  endowment.     Dom.  Van  Harlinijen  was  twice  married.     His 


HISTORICAL   NOTES.  261 

first  wife  Avas  Sarah  Slryker,  by  whom  he  had  two  children ;  liis 
second,  Elizabeth  Van  Deursen,  who  was  the  mother  of  three,  one 
of  whom  died  in  infancy,  and  the  others  survived  him.  His  name 
has  passed  away,  but  his  descendants  are  quite  numerous  in  Som- 
erset ;  one  of  tliem  is  Rev.  P.  D.  Van  Cleef ,  of  Jersey  City. 

The  following  words  are  inscribed  on  his  tomb,  in  the  Harlingen 
Cemetery :  "  To  the  memory  of  the  Rev.  Johannes  Martinus  Van 
Harlingen,  ])astor  of  the  Reformed  Dutch  congregations  of  Sour. 
land  and  N"ew-Shanick,  who  died  Dec.  23d,  1795,  in  the  Vlst 
year  of  his  age. 

"  Van  Harlingen,  recalled  by  Zion's  Kiiifr, 
Finislied  in  haste  his  embass}'  abroad  ; 
Then  soarint?  up  to  heaven  on  seraph's  winfj, 
Blessed  angels  haihid  the  ambassador  of  God." 

The  want  of  English  preaching  was  now  increasingly  felt  in  all 
the  churches  ;  and  a  year  before  Mr.  Van  Harlingen's  death  the 
United  Consistories  of  Harlingen  and  iSTeshanic  provided  for  it  in 
their  congregations  by  calling  the  Rev.  William  Richmond 
Smith  as  his  colleague,  to  preach  in  the  English  language  exclu- 
sively, one  Sabbath  at  Harlingen  and  two  at  Neshanic. 

Mr.  Smith  was  a  native  of  Lancaster  County,  Pa.  His  father, 
Rev.  Robert  Smith,  D.D.,  was  minister  of  Pequea ;  and  his 
mother  was  a  sister  of  the  celebrated  brothers  Samuel  and  Jo!  n 
Blair,  eminent  men  in  their  day  in  the  Presbyterian  Church.  He 
had  also  two  distinguished  preachers  as  brothers  :  Samuel  Stan- 
liope  Smith,  of  Princeton  College,  and  John  Blair  Smith,  at  one 
time  President  of  Union  College,  Schenectady,  and  afterward  of 
Hampden  Sidney,  in  Virginia.  He  was  a  man  of  sound  mind  and 
an  edifying  preacher ;  a  man  highly  esteemed  and  revered  by 
the  people  to  whom  he  ministered  through  the  long  period  of 
twenty-five  years ;  a  couiteous,  gentlemanly  man.  He  was 
stricken  with  pai-alysis  on  the  Sabbath  day,  while  preaching  to  his 
people.  He  survived  the  attack  for  se  \  eral  years,  but  was  a  wreck  in 
mind  and  body,  during  the  whole  remainder  of  his  life.  His 
remains  rest  among  the  people  of  his  charge  in  a  rural  cemetery 
near  Flagtown;  and  he  being  dead  yet  speaketh.  He  died  on 
the  23d  of  February,  1820,  His  funeral,  on  the  2Gth,  was  attended 
by  a  vast  concourse  of  peoi)le,  anxious  to  testify  their  esteem  for 
a  faithful  pastor  and  friend.  The  Rev.  Peter  Labagh  preached 
17 


262  HISTORICAL   NOTES. 

the  Bermon  from  2  Timotliy  4  :  7,  8.  William  R.  Smith  was  not  a 
popular  man  in  the  sense  of  attraction,  but  extensively  popular  in 
the  sense  of  almost  imiversal  esteem ;  and  he  was  a  good  man,  a 
faithful  man,  and  left  behind  him  a  memory  which  ephemeral 
popularity  seldom  attains — in  converts  who  were  real  Christians. 
In  179S — three  years  after  the  death  of  J.  M.  Van  Harllngen — 
the  united  churches  called  the  Rev.  Henry  Polhemus.  He  was  a 
native  of  the  congregation,  born  at  Harlingen  in  111 2,  graduated 
at  Princeton  College  1*794,  studied  theology  with  Dirck  Romeyn, 
ajid  was  licensed  in  1798.  Almost  immediately  upon  receiving 
his  commission,  he  Avas  offered  the  call  from  Harlingen  and  Ne- 
shanic  as  a  colleague  of  W.  R.  Smith.  He  was  to  ])reach  two 
Sabbaths  at  Harlingen  and  one  at  Neshanic  alternately,  Smith 
preaching  two  at  Neshanic  and  one  at  Harlingen.  He  continued 
in  this  charge  until  1809,  when  he  received  and  accepted  a  call 
from  English  Neighborhood,  in  Bergen  County,  N.  J.  He  re- 
mained there  until  1813,  when  he  settled  at  Shawangunk,  New- 
York,  and  died  in  1816,  after  laboring  there  two  years.  He  is 
represented  as  having  been  an  earnest  and  acceptable  preacher, 
laborious  and  conscientious  in  the  performance  of  his  duties,  and 
humble  and  pious  in  his  walk  and  conversation.  He  did  a  good 
work  in  his  day,  and  left  a  tair  reputation  behind  him,  when  he 
died,  as  being  a  man  of  zeal,  devotedness,  and  single-heartedness 
in  all  his  intercourse  with  men,  but  especially  in  his  ministry. 

In  ISOl,  the  congregation  became  incorporate  under  the  laws  of 
New-Jersey,  and  determined  to  change  its  name  from  Sourland,  by 
which  it  had  been  known  since  1750  or  even  earlier,  to  Harlingen, 
in  memory  of  their  deceased  pastor.  The  next  year,  1802,  the 
people  in  the  southern  part  of  the  congregation  at  Blauwenburgh 
moved  in  the  matter  of  providing  themselves  with  a  house  of 
worship.  The  matter  was  brought  before  the  Consistory  of  Har- 
lingen, who  promised  to  refer  it  to  the  great  consistory ;  but  no 
definite  action  seems  to  have  been  had,  and  for  a  time  the  matter 
appears  to  have  been  held  in  abeyance.  The  next  year  a  motion 
was  made  to  repair  the  church.  On  examination,  it  was  pro- 
nounced not  to  be  worth  repairing,  and  a  subscription  was  circu- 
lated to  rebuild  it ;  but  there  was  a  failure  in  obtaining  the  requi- 
site amount.  In  September  the  matter  was  resumed.  The  great 
consistory  was  at  first  convened,  and  then  the  heads  of  families, 
and  finally  a  committee  was  appointed,  consisting  of  James  D. 


niSTOKICAL   NOTES.  263 

Stryker,  Samuel  Beekman,  William  Davis,  Ezekiel  Blew,  Garret 
Quick,  Henry  Borcaw,  William  Duryea,  John  I^aird,  and  Abra- 
ham Skillman,  to  advise  with  and  aid  the  consistory  in  effecting 
the  desirable  object  of  giving  the  congregation  a  new  church  edi- 
fice. On  the  4th  of  November,  it  was  unanimously  resolved  to 
proceed  early  in  the  next  season,  and  Abram  Stryker,  Samuel 
Beekman,  Cornelius  Kersliow,  and  William  Davis  were  appointed 
manao-ers.  The  work  was  uro-ed  forward  with  such  energy  that 
the  house  was  completed  and  nearly  all  the  pews  sold  before  the 
beginning  of  January,  1804.  The  cost  of  tlie  l)uilding,  including 
the  fence,  was  -$4,410.89.  This  was  the  third  church  in  which  the 
people  of  Harlingen  liad  worshiped  God  ;  and  it  stood,  with  some 
occasional  repairs,  until  it  was  superseded  by  the  present  commo- 
dious structure. 

After  the  Kev.  Henry  Polhemus  resigned,  in  June,  ISOS,  an 
effort  was  made  to  obtain  the  services  of  the  Rev.  Peter  D.  Froe- 
ligh,  a  son  of  Dr.  Solomon  Froeligh,  of  Hackensack  and  Sclialen- 
burgli ;  but  when  the  same  movement  was  made  in  Neshanic,  it 
met  with  opposition,  and  was  finally  abandoned. 

The  name  of  the  Rev.  Peter  Labagh,  then  pastor  of  the 
churches  of  Kaats  Kill  and  Oakhill,  was  introduced  to  the  atten- 
tion of  the  people,  and  a  call  was  extended  to  him,  which  he 
accepted,  and  moved  into  the  parsonage  in  July,  1809.  He  was 
installed  soon  after  by  the  Ptcv.  Peter  Studdiford,  of  Readington. 
He  served  the  two  churches  as  Mr.  Polhemus  had  done,  preacliing 
two  Sabbaths  at  Harlingen  and  one  at  Neshanic,  and  alternating 
in  tliis  way  with  the  other  pastor,  the  Rev.  W.  R.  Smitli.  In  this- 
hxborious  service  he  continued  for  twelve  years  until  tlie  death- 
of  jMr.  Smith.  Three  years  of  this  term  he  was,  in  effect,  sole- 
pastor  of  both  churches,  his  colleague  being  incapacitated  all  tliat 
time  for  any  kind  of  service.  An  effort  was  made  to  supply  the 
place  of  Mr.  Smith,  and  retain  the  arrangement  between  the  two 
churches  as  it  had  hitlierto  existed;  but  it  was  not  successful. 
Harlino;en  voted  to  give  a  call  to  Rev.  I.  N.  Wyckoff,  and  Nesha- 
nic preferred  the  candidate  Isaac  Ferris.  The  result  was  that  the 
connection  was  dissolved,  and  Harlingen  agreed  to  retain  Mr. 
Labagh's  services,  leaving  Neshanic  to  provide  for  herself.  The 
dissolution  of  the  combined  arrangement  was  amicably  eff^'cted 
and  proved  mutually  beneficial.  From  1821  until  1844,  the  good 
old  man  went  on  in  his  work,  preaching  most  efiiciently,  attend- 


-264  HISTORICAL   NOTES. 

ing  Bible  classes  in  the  different  districts  of  his  congregation,  and 
fostering  and  encouraging  his  Sabbath-schools.  Harlingen  be- 
came a  famous  place  for  gathering  the  largest  audiences  in  Som- 
erset County  on  the  anniversaries  of  her  Sunday-schools,  and  the 
meetings  were  spirited,  addressed  by  popular  and  eminent  men, 
and  proved  largely  instrumental  in  diffusing  throughout  the  whole 
county  an  interest  in  the  Sabbath-school  Avork.  But  old  age  had 
come  upon  him  in  his  active  life.  He  had  entered  upon  his  seventy- 
first  year.  His  voice,  never  either  fall  or  fine-toned,  had  been  im- 
paired by  disease.  He  could  not  be  well  heard,  especially  by  the 
^ged.  He  began  to  feel  that  his  work  was  done,  and  he  laid  down 
his  armor  gracefully  and  retired  to  the  residence  of  his  daughter, 
and  tliere,  in  reading,  fishing,  and  walking  for  exercise,  went  down 
to  his  grave  in  a  dignified,  devotional,  and  honorable  way,  and  good 
men  carried  him  to  his  burial.  Late  in  life  he  had  been  honored 
by  Mercer  College  (Pennsylvania)  with  a  degree  of  D.D.,  but  he 
hardly  ever  assumed  the  title  in  any  very  general  way.  He  was 
best  known  and  most  extensively  honored,  in  Somerset  County 
especially,  as  Dominie  Labagh,  and  there  his  name  and  influence 
will  never  be  forgotten.  His  numerous  spiritual  children  will 
honor  him  to  the  end. 

Peter  Labagh  was  born  in  Beaver  street,  in  the  city  of  New- 
York,  November  10th,  1773.  When  the  British  army  approached 
the  city,  his  parents  escaped  to  Hackensack,  N.  J.,  and  made  it  a 
permanent  residence.  He  commenced  the  study  of  Latin  under 
William  Kuypers,  and  continued  it,  under  Alexander  Miller,  in 
the  academy  at  Hackensack,  afterward  at  Flatbush,  under  Dr. 
Wilson,  and  finally  he  completed  his  theological  course  Avith  Dr. 
Froelio-h  and  Dr.  Livingston.  His  professional  certificate  was 
•dated  July  7th,  1796,  and  he  was  licensed  by  the  Classis  of  Hack- 
ensack soon  after  this  date.  Almost  immediately  he  went  on  a 
mission  to  the  State  of  Kentucky,  where  many  families  from  Ber- 
gen and  Somerset  Counties  (New-Jersey)  had  settled.  He  orga- 
tnized  two  churches  at  a  place  called  Salt  River,  and  returned  at 
the  end  of  the  year.  He  was  soon  called  to  the  churches  of 
Kaats  Kill  and  Oakhill,  (New- York,)  which  he  continued  to  serve 
until  he  came  to  Hai'lingen  in  1821. 

A  biography  of  Dr.  Labagh  has  been  published,  to  wliich  we 
refer  those  who  desire  special  information.  Instead,  therefore,  of 
following  out  the  events  of  his  life  in  detail,  we  prefer  to  give  the 


HISTORICAL   NOTES.  265 

estimate  of  tlic  man  and  the  minister  and  character  which  has 
been  drawn  of  him  hy  two  of  his  most  intimate  friends.  Dr. 
Lndlow  says,  "  He  was  a  man  of  much  more  than  ordinary  powers 
of  mind,  lie  was  remarkably  rapid  in  apprehension,  sound  in 
judgment,  and  correct  and  delicate  in  his  taste.  His  faculties 
were  Avell  balanced,  and  he  had  a  large  measure  of  what  is  ordi- 
narily called  common  sense.  Without  any  thing  in  appearance, 
manner,  or  voice  to  recommend  him,  he  was,  nevertheless,  a  veiy 
profitable  preacher,  especially  when  he  prepared  his  discourses 
with  some  care.  He  was  an  earnest  speaker,  and  had  much  of 
the  practical  and  experimental  in  his  discourses,  while,  at  the 
same  time,  his  doctrinal  statements  were  sound  and  scriptural. 
He  was  very  much  at  home  in  deliberative  ecclesiastical  assem- 
blies, large  and  small,  and  exercised  great  influence  in  them.  He 
was  very  much  attached  to  his  own  denomination,  while  he  felt  a 
deep  interest  in  the  welfare  of  every  part  of  the  church  of  Jesus 
Christ.  He  was  eminently  social  and  genial  in  his  disposition 
and  habits,  far  beyond  what  his  expression  and  manner  would 
seem  to  indicate.  He  had  a  power  of  sarcasm  and  satire  about 
him  that  was  rather  formidable,  and  a  talent  for  retort  and 
repartee  which  it  was  not  easy  to  cope  with.  He  was  widely 
known  in  our  church,  and  was  greatly  instrumental  in  promoting 
her  interests.  He  had  a  large  share  in  the  confidence  of  his 
brethren  in  the  ministry.  He  might  have  made  much  more  of 
himself  than  he  did,  considering  his  natural  powers  and  advan- 
tages ;  yet  he  was  a  very  valuable  and  useful  man,  and  his 
memory  will  always  be  cherished."  To  all  this  we  can  witness 
ourselves. 

Dr.  Bethune,  who  admired  and  loved  him  greatly,  says,  "  Of 
Fatlier  Labagh's  early,  or  even  riper  years,  I  know  little,  and  that 
little  only  by  hearsay  ;  the  grateful,  unanimous  testimony  of  all 
who  had  the  pi'ivilege  of  association  with  him,  to  his  devotional 
spirit,  fidelity,  sagacity,  and  consistent  virtues  as  a  man,  a  Chris- 
tian, and  a  minister  is  abundant. 

"  I  call  him  Father  Labagh  ;  for  by  that  affectionate  name  all 
the  members  of  our  classis,  much  younger  than  he,  were  accus- 
tomed to  greet  and  address  him.  He  Avas  our  father,  to  whom  we 
gladly  yielded  the  place  of  superior  authority  ;  whose  council  was 
at  once  sought,  and  very  seldom,  if  ever,  overborne  in  every  ques- 
tion of  disputed  doctrine,  method  of  business,   or   ecclesiastical 


--266  HISTORICAL    NOTES, 

policy.  Ilis  prayers,  occasional  exiiortations,  and  informal  talks 
had,  for  us,  the  nnction  and  pleasant  authority  of  the  aged  disciple 
among  his  little  children.  He  resembled,  in  our  minds,  the  apostle 
of  love,  not  only  in  the  kindness  of  his  speech,  but  also  in  the 
searching  casuistry  Avhich  he  had  acquired  from  a  long  experience 
of  a  Cliristian  and  ministerial  life.  Never  arrogant  or  severe,  but 
ever  direct  and  faithful;  never  assuming,  but  ever  thankful  for 
our  ready  deference,  he  could  not  avoid  being  conscious  of  the 
rank  we  assigned  him  in  our  f ellowsliip  ;  yet  he  ever  treated  the 
youngest  and  meekest  of  us  with  the  respect  and  sympathy  of 
true  Christian  friendship.  It  was  this  character  that  drew  me  to 
him  with  a  love  and  veneration  which  increased  with  every  oppor- 
tunity I  had  of  enjoying  his  society.  Perhaps  this  very  manifest 
regard  for  him  inclined  him  to  think  kindly  of  me;  for  he  always 
treated  me  so  as  to  make  the  hours  I  passed  in  his  company  very 
pleasant  and  profitable  then,  and  the  recollection  of  them  will  be 
cherished  while  my  memory  lasts.  He  liad  a  keen  sense  of  the  ludi- 
crous, and  often  showed  it  in  pointed  epigrammatic  sayings,  and 
even  in  sarcasm,  the  sharpness  of  whicli  was  relieved  by  his  good 
humor.  He  never  shrank  from  the  duty  of  rebuke,  which  none  who 
received  it  had  a  right  to  be  otherwise  than  thankful  for.  He  read 
characters  with  instinctive  skill,  and  was  shrewd  enougli  to  avail 
himself  of  every  advantage  in  an  lionorable  strife ;  nor  was  he 
disingenuous  enough  to  conceal  his  pleasure  in  a  plain  victory. 
The  special  grace  of  his  disposition  was  its  unfading  youthfulness. 
Whenever  he  grew  old,  it  was  not  in  his  heart.  The  generosity 
which  moved  him  to  forget  himself  or  his  personal  power  in  the 
advancement  of  the  church  was  not  lessened  but  increased  by 
age.  He  Avas  always  on  the  side  of  true  progress,  never  fearful 
of  enterprise  or  enlargement ;  but,  on  the  contrary,  ready,  even 
eager,  to  give  his  aid  and  advocacy  to  whatever  promised  increase 
of  usefulness.  He  grew  neither  dull  nor  morose,  nor  pragmatical, 
but  was  che3rful  as  mor;iiug,  loving  the  sunshine  rather  than  the 
shade,  and  symjiathetic  with  the  happiness  of  others,  fully  appre- 
ciating the  wisdom  of  the  ins})ired  maxim,  that  "a  merry  heart 
doeth  good  like  medicine."  Frugal,  temperate,  and  self-regulated, 
he  was  as  free  from  asceticism  as  he  was  from  Avorld -worship. 
Young  people  never  felt  his  presence  an  unwelcome  restraint,  and 
conversation  was  enlivened  by  his  sprightly  reminiscences  and 
witty  pleasantries." 


HISTORICAL   NOTES.  267 

''We  have  greater  pleasure  in  giving-  tliese  discriminating  esti- 
mates of  Dr.  Labagli  tliau  we  could  have  in  adding  any  tiling  otu'- 
selves.  In  1841,  feeling  the  infirmities  of  age,  he  clieerfully  gave 
place,  as  we  have  already  said,  to  a  successor,  and  rested  from  his 
labors.  He  had  been  the  instrument  during  his  ministry  of 
bringing  into  the  church  more  tlian  500  communicants,  and  lie 
had  besides  introduced,  from  his  own  communion,  eight  young 
men  into  the  Christian  ministry,  namely,  Brogun  Huff,  Cornelius 
Van  Cleef,  J.  T.  B.  Beekraan,  J.  P.  Labagh,  (his  only  son,)  P.  S. 
Williamson,  J.  P.  Stryker,  missionary  to  India,  N,  D.  William- 
son, C.  S.  Ilageinan,  besides  David  Cashing,  Av^hom  he  induced  to 
study,  and  aided  materially  in  his  course.  Of  the  original  mem- 
bers of  his  church,  numbering  about  sixty,  only  four  remained  when 
he  resigned.  The  dissolution  was  acted  on  in  chassis  on  the  lOth 
November,  1841-,  when  he  had  completed  his  seventy-second  year, 
upon  Avhicli  occasion  he  preached  his  last  sermon  from  Revelation 
22  :  21,  "The  grace  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  be  with  you  all. 
Amen."  Ilis  closing  years  were  quiet.  He  was  respected  and 
frequently  visited  by  his  brethren  in  the  ministry,  and  lie  died  in 
a  good  old  age — "  an  old  man  and  full  of  years."  He  deceased  on 
Monday,  October  2oth,  1838,  aged  84  years  11  niDuths  and  15 
days.  His  funeral  was  attended  on  the  27th  at  the  house  of  his 
son-in-law,  Lawrence  Vanderveer,  Esq.,  where  Rev.  Dr.  Van  Vran- 
ken,  of  New-Brunswick  Theological  Seminary,  offered  prayer,  and 
then  at  the  Harlingen  Church,  where  Rev.  Dr.  G.  Ludlow  preach- 
ed a  sermon — published  afterward  as  an  appendix  to  his  memoir 
by  Rev.  J.  A,  Todd.  It  was  a  bright  and  beautiful  autunmal 
day,  and  the  withered  leaves,  falling  thickly  in  the  forests,  seemed 
to  say  to  the  gathered  throng  in  solemn  accents,  "  AVe  all  do  fade 
as  the  leaf." 

The  remains  of  D)\  Labagh  were,  in  the  first  instance,  deposited 
in  the  old  Harlingen  Cemetery,  but  were  subsequently  removed  to 
Rock  Hill,  in  the  certain  hope  of  a  joyful  resurrection  to  im- 
mortal life.  Upon  his  tomb  we  read  the  following  inscription  : 
"In  memory  of  Rev.  Peter  Labagh,  D.D.,  born  Nov.  lOth,  1773, 
died  Oct.  25th,  1858.  The  faithful  pastor  who  liere  slee])s  in 
Jesus  was  ordained  to  the  ministry  in  179G,  missionary  to  Ken- 
tucky in  1797,  called  to  the  pastoral  otlice  of  the  Reformed  Church 
of  Catskill  in  1798,  of  Harlingen  in  1809,  of  Avhich  he  continued 
pastor  for  35  years.     As  a  preacher  he  was  solemn,  earnest,  per- 


268  HISTORICAL   NOTES. 

siiasiv'e,  and  always  instructive;  as 'a' pastor,  attentive  to  his 
flock  in  sickness  and  in  health;  as  a  member  of  the  different 
church  courts,  wise  in  council,  strong  in  debate ;  and  in  all  the 
relations  of  life,  husband,  father,  friend,  devoted  and  sincere. 
The  memory  of  the  just  is  blessed." 

On  the  21st  of  August,  1844,  j^receding  Dr.  Labagh's  last  ser- 
mon, the  consistory  had  resolved  to  call  as  his  successor  John 
Gardener,  a  licentiate  from  the  seminary.  Tliis  call  was  ap- 
proved on  the  15th  of  October,  and  on  the  14th  November  he  was 
ordained  and  installed  pastor  of  the  church.  Rev.  G.  Ludlow  again 
preaclung  the  sermon,  from  2  Timothy  4  :  5.  He  still  remains 
the  minister  of  the  church. 


THE  CHURCH  OF  NESHANIC. 

The  records  of  the  church  commence  on  the  25th  of  August, 
1752,  and  recite  that  the  consistory  of  North-Branch,  on  account 
of  the  necessity  of  establishing  the  Christian  ordinances  and  hav- 
ing the  Gospel  preached,  had  consented  to  dismiss  Bernardus 
Verbryck  and  his  wife,  Abraham  Dubois,  Sen.,  Abraham  Dubois, 
Jr.,  Albert  Low  and  his  wife,  William  Low,  John  Duraont  and 
his  wife,  John  Montfort  and  his  wife,,  in  all  eleven  persons,  for 
the  purpose  of  forming  a  new  congregation,  and  continues  to 
give  notice  tliat  Bernardus  Verbryck  and  Abraham  Dubois  were 
chosen  for  elders,  and  Johannes  De  Mott  and  William  Low  dea- 
cons in  said  cliurch  and  congregation  of  Neshanic.  Tliis  record 
is  in  the  handwriting  of  Dominie  Johannes  Frelinghuysen,  of 
Raritan,  and  gives  us  the  date  of  the  organization  of  the  Nesha- 
nic  cliurch,  and  the  names  of  the  first  consistory. 

On  a  preceding  page,  but  without  date,  referring  evidently  to 
the  same  matters,  are  certain  articles  of  agreement  between  j>er- 
sons  formerly  belonging  to  the  church  of  North-Branch,  with 
certain  others  from  other  congregations,  agreeing  or  covenanting 
to  call  a  neighboring  minister  belonging  to  the  "  Coetus^  and 
maintaining  the  doctrines  of  the  Articles  of  the  Synod  of  Dort, 
1618  and  1619,  and  to  provide  a  proportionate  maintenance  for 


HISTORICAL   NOTES.  269 

him,  according  to  tlic  service  which  he  may  render  ;  to  ignite,  for 
tliis  purpose,  with  the  congregations  of  Raritan,  North-Branch, 
and  Millstone ;  to  commence  the  building  of  a  church  for  said 
new  congregation  between  the  residence  of  David  Genoe  and  "  the 
Lawrence  Line,"  the  site  to  be  determined  by  a  majority  of 
voices  of  those  Avho  have  subscribed  toward  its  erection,  with 
other  minor  considerations,  all  showing  how  deliberately  they 
entered  upon  the  work  of  establishing  a  new  church.  This  cove- 
nant is  subscribed  by  Bernardus  Verbryck,  Abraham  Dubois? 
Sen.,  Abraham  Dubois,  Jr.,  John  De  Mott,  Laurence  De 
Mott,  William  Post,  John  Dorlant,  Cornelius  Van  Arsdalen, 
Jacobus  Nevius,  Pieter  Van  Dyke,  Pieter  Montfort,  Jan  Mont- 
fort,  Lucus  Nevius,  Derick  Low,  Albert  StothofF,  Adrian  Hage- 
man,  Joichira  Gulick,  Jacobus  Gulick,  and  John  Brower,  men  of 
substance  and  character,  and  enough  to  warrant  the  undertaking. 

•To  this  list  there  is  appended  a  subscription  of  nearly  £100,  for 
the  purpose  of  carrying  out  the  agreement  recited  above.  Then, 
on  the  11th  of  October  succeeding,  it  is  recorded  that  the  site  for 
the  church  was  determined  by  a  majority  of  voices  to  be  on  the 
Amwell  Road,  between  the  residences  of  Lawrence  and  John  De 
Mott,  on  the  Knoll,  on  the  north  side  of  said  road.  This  appears 
to  be  all  that  was  accomplished  during  the  lifetime  of  John  Fre- 
linghuysen.  The  inference  is  that  the  work  undei'taken  with  so 
much  deliberation  was  carried  forward  to  a  successful  conclusion 
during  the  winter  and  the  summer  of  1753  and  1754.  Mr.  Frc- 
linghuysen  died  on  the  15th  of  September,  1754,  and  probably 
never  preached  in  the  church. 

The  next  record  is  dated  May  21st,  1757,  and  refers  to  the 
election  of  a  consistory  under  the  direction  of  Rev.  JohnLeydt,  of 
New-Brunswick,  at  the  house  of  Andreas  Ten  Eyck.  John  De 
Mott  Avas  chosen  elder,  and  John  Montfort  deacon  ;  and  then  it 
recites  that  they  were  ordained  on  the  13th  January  succeeding, 
in  the  church  at  North-Branch,  by  Dominie  Romeyn.  This  was 
Thomas  Romeyn,  who  had  mariied  Margaretta  Frelinghuysen, 
the  elder  daughter  of  Theodorus  J.  P^relingliuysen. 

The  register  of  baptisms  commences  May  23d,  1760,  with  the 
names  of  Jan  and  Sarah  WycofF  presenting  a  daughter,  Neeltjie, 
and  .Tacobus  and  Elizabeth  liegeman,  a  son,  Pieter,  and  Daniel 
and  Catleyntie  Hunt,  a  daughter,  Catlyntie — all  on  the  same 
day.     This  register  is  complete,  and  has  been  continued  until  the 


..  270  HISTORICAL   NOTES. 

present  time.  We  gather  from  its  earlier  years  some  names 
which  it  may  he  of  interest  to  preserve,  as  belonging  to  the 
congregation  in  its  beginnings,  such  as  John  ITufF.  George  Ber- 
gen, More  Beyaert,  John  Cox,  Bernardus  Van  Zant,  Thomas  Hall, 
Peter  Petersen,  Hendrick  Dilts,  Dominions  Stryker,  John  Van 
Nest,  Abraham  Voorhees,  Tennis  Cornell,  Hendrick  Jansen, 
Heugh  Higse,  Dominicus  Van  Dyke,  Joris  Broca,  and  Hendrick 
Pippenger.  The  list,  as  contained  in  the  first  book,  ends  Jannaiy 
24th,  179i,  with  the  baptism  of  Sarah,  daughter  of  Rulcph  Peter- 
son. These  were  some  of  the  first  supporters  of  the  Neshanic 
church. 

On  the  28th  of  August,  1758,  under  the  superintendence  of 
Rev.  John  Leydt,  Rem  Vanderbeek  was  appointed  elder,  and 
Lawrence  De  Mott,  deacon  ;  and  again  July  29th,  1759,  tlie  Rev. 
J.  R.  Hardenbergh  presiding,  Bernardus  Verbryck  was  ordained 
as  eider,  in  the  room  of  Johannes  De  Mott,  Avhose  term  of  service 
had  expired.  This  last  record  indicates  the  time  when  Neshanic 
had  united  with  the  other  congregations  in  Somerset  County,  in 
calling  the  Rev.  Jacob  Rutsen  Hendenbergh  as  their  pastor. 
They  had  all  been  vacant  since  John  Frelinghuysen's  death, 
in  1754.  Their  attention  had  been  directed  to  him,  probably, 
from  the  fact  that  he  had  married  Mr.  Frelinghuysen's  widow. 
It  was  a  time  of  great  distraction  in  all  tlie  Dutch  churches,  but 
perhaps  especially  in  those  in  Somerset  County.  Fryenmoet,  one 
of  "  the  Conferentie  preachers,"  had  been  preaching  to  those  who 
were  disaiFected  toward  the  Freliughuysens,  and  at  North-Branch 
esj^ecially  a  strong  effort  had  been  made  to  effect  his  settlement. 
He  had  spent  some  months  there  preaching  and  baptizing  chil- 
dren, and  endeavoring  to  gain  the  confidence  of  the  people,  but 
had  not  succeeded.  Hardenbergh  had  been  licensed  in  May,  and 
was  now  already  living  in  the  house  in  Somerville,  which  had 
been  built  with  the  bricks  sent  over  from  Holland,  in  the  same 
ship  Avhich  brought  out  John  Frelinghuysen  and  his  Avife,  Dinah 
Van  Bergh.  Neshanic  was  organized  as  a  Coetus  church,  and 
did  not  sympathize  with  the  malcontents,  as  many  families  in  the 
other  churches  had  done. 

This  connection  continued  to  exist  until  1761,  when  Harden- 
bergh went  to  Holland  for  the  purpose  of  bringing  over  his  wife's 
mother.  It  is  not  ascertained  exactly  how  long  he  was  absent, 
but  probably  during  nearly  the  whole  of  the  year  1762.     It  was 


HISTOEICAL    NOTES.  271 

during-  tliis,  tlio  3-car  of  liis  absence,  that  Neslianie  witlulrew  from 
its  connection  with  tlie  other  four  cliurclies,  and  formed  a  union 
with  Ilailingen,  or  Sourland  as  then  called,  to  obtain  the  services 
of  Rev,  Johannes  Martinus  Van  Harlingen.  This  proved  to  be  a 
lasting  connection,  and  continued  until  it  was  dissolved,  in  1V95, 
by  Mv.  Van  Ilarlingon's  death.  In  1780,  in  order  to  obtain  more 
preaching,  however,  Neshanic  united  with  Millstone  in  obtaining 
a  part  of  the  services  of  Solomon  Froeligh,  and  tliis  connection 
continued  for  six  years,  until  1786.  Then,  feeling  the  necessity 
of  liaving  preaching  in  the  English  language,  for  the  benefit  of  the 
junior  members  of  the  congregation,  she  called,  in  conjunction  with 
Harlingen,  the  Rev.  William  R.  Smith.  He  was  to  preach  two 
Sabbaths  at  Neshanic,  and  one  at  Harlingen.  He  was  thus  more 
entirely  identified  with  the  people  of  Neshanic  than  of  Harlingen. 
He  also  made  his  residence  in  the  bounds  of  the  congregation, 
living  on  a  parsonage  farm,  less  than  two  miles  east  of  the  church. 
The  impression  of  his  character  and  preaching  was  left  very, 
permanently  on  the  people  of  Neshanic,  and  his  grave  is  with 
them,  as  a  perpetual  reminder  of  what  he  was  and  what  lie  did  to 
win  them  to  the  w^ays  of  righteousness  and  peace.  His  long 
ministry,  continuing  in  its  activity  until  1817,  and  ending  only 
with  his  death  in  1820,  was  a  great  blessing  to  the  people  in 
every  sense.  It  was  an  earnest  and  a  faithful  ministry;  and  was 
blessed  by  an  increase  of  the  church,  and  an  elevation  of  the 
standard  of  piety  among  the  whole  community.  Ho  did  a  blessed, 
an  extensive,  and  a  lasting  work  at  Neshanic. 

Ivcv.  William  Richmond  Smith  was  born  at  Pequea,  Lancaster 
County,  Pa.,  in  1752.  He  was  a  younger  son  of  the  Rev.  Robert 
Smith,  D.D.,  of  Pequea,  and  his  mother  was  a  sister  of  the  cele- 
brated Samuel  Blair,  of  New-Londonderry,  Pa.,  the  father  of  Dr. 
John  Blair,  both  ministers  of  wide  influence  and  usefulness  in  the 
Presbyterian  Church.  He  had  also  two  distinguished  brothers, 
Samuel  Stanhope  Smith,  the  successor  of  Dr.  Witherspoon  in  the 
presidency  of  Princeton  College,  and  John  Blair  Smith,  the  first 
president  of  Union  College,  Schenectady,  and  subsequently  of 
IIam|iden  Sydney  College,  in  Virginia.  Though  not,  perhaps, 
equ  il  in  mental  endowments  or  in  ])ulpit  talents  to  his  celebrated 
brothers,  he  was  a  man  of  sounil  mind,  of  a  deep  and  ardent  piety, 
and  a  truly  edifying  preacher.  Jlence  he  became  a  man  highly 
esteemed    and    revered   by  the  people  to  whom  he   ministered 


272  HISTORICAL   NOTES. 

through  the  long  period  of  five  and  twenty  years,  a  conscientious, 
gentlemanly  man,  "  endeared  and  loved."  He  was  stricken  with 
paralysis  while  preaching  to  liis  ^Jeople.  He  survived  the  attack 
for  several  years,  but  was  a  wreck  in  mind  and  body  during  the 
remainder  of  his  life.  His  remains  are  interred  in  the  cemetery 
near  Flagtown,  and  he  "  being  dead  yet  speaketh."  His  funeral, 
on  the  20th  of  February,  1820,  was  attended  by  a  vast  concourse 
of  people  from  the  surrounding  country,  anxious  to  testify  their 
esteem  and  veneration  for  so  faithful  a  pastor  and  friend.  Rev. 
P.  Labagh,  his  colleague  of  Harlingen,  preached  the  sermon  from 
2  Tim.  4  :  7,  8,  "  I  have  fought  a  good  fight,  I  have  finished  my 
course,  I  have  kept  the  faith :  henceforth  there  is  laid  up  for  me  a 
crown  of  glory,  which  the  Lord,  the  righteous  judge,  will  give 
me  in  that  day."  On  the  tablet  which  stands  at  the  head  of  his 
grave  you  read,  "  Sacred  to  the  memory  of  William  Smith,  for 
twenty-five  years  one  of  the  ministers  of  the  united  congregations 
of  Shannock  and  Harlingen.  He  died  February  23d,  1820,  in  the 
sixty-eighth  year  of  his  age.  The  memory  of  the  just  is  blessed." 
Beside  him  rests  his  wife,  and  on  her  tablet  we  read,  "  In  memory 
of  Rachael  Stidman,  relict  of  Rev.  William  R.  Smith  ;  born  July 
8th,  l770  ;  died  December  8th,  1840."  She  survived  her  husband 
nearly  twenty  years,  and  was  finally  united  with  him  in  his 
rest. 

Neshanic  had  now  been  united  with  other  churches  in  the  sup- 
port of  a  minister  for  the  space  of  sixty-eight  years.  Her  growth 
as  a  congregation  had  not  been  rapid,  but  it  had  been  substan- 
tial. Her  people  had  increased  in  numbers  and  in  wealth.  It 
Avas  time  for  her  to  enjoy  the  benefit  of  the  labors  of  a  pastor  for 
herself,  and  she  determined  to  make  the  effort.  A  call  Avas  given 
to  the  candidate  Gabriel  Ludlow,  recently  from  the  seminary  in 
New-Brunswick,  and  was  accepted.  He  entered  upon  his  labors 
on  the  5th  September,  1821.  Fifty  years  from  that  date,  Septem- 
ber 5th,  1871,  he  preached  an  anniversary  sermon  commemorative 
of  his  long  and  jjatient  labors  among  the  people  of  his  charge. 
It  was  attended  by  many  of  his  bretliren  in  the  ministry,  and  a 
reception  and  collection  were  given  at  his  house  after  the  exer- 
cises in  the  church  had  closed  ;  a  purse  was  donated  to  him  con- 
taining nearly  |1000,  and  many  kind  things  said  by  his  ministe- 
rial brethren  during  the  afternoon  for  his  encouragement  and 
comfort.     He  is  yet  in  the  harness,  standing  uj)  and  preaching 


HISTORICAL   NOTES.  273 

Christ  witli  almost  youthful  vigor ;  and  may  he  be  spared  to  do  so 
for  long  years  to  come  !  The  history  of  his  ministry,  when  it 
comes  to  be  written,  will  be  an  example  for  all. 


MILLSTONE,  NEW-MILLSTONE,    HILLSBORO. 

The  first  religious  organization  in  the  village  of  Millstone  was 
effected  through  the  agency  of  the  presbytery  of  New-Brunswick. 
The  English  settlers  in  that  vicinity  j^etitioned  them  to  give  them 
regular  religious  services.  At  their  meeting  at  Baskingridge, 
October  3Uth,  1759,  this  petition  was  acted  on  and  provision  made 
for  stated  supplies.  Some  of  the  Dutch  families  united  with  this 
organization,  and  a  house  of  worship  was  erected  about  the  year 
1760.  It  was,  for  a  time,  occupied  once  a  month  by  the  Rev. 
Israel  Reed,  the  pastor  of  the  Presbyterian  church  at  Bound 
Brook.  At  the  same  time  the  Dutch  families  had  the  ministers  of 
their  denomination  serving  them  about  as  often,  thus  giving  the 
people  a  public  religious  service  at  least  once  in  two  weeks.  Rev. 
John  Leydt,  of  New-Brunswick,  Van  Harlingen,  of  Harlingen,  and 
especially  J.  R.  Hardenbergh,  of  Raritan,  participated  in  render- 
ing these  services.  The  church  which  had  been  built  was  not 
large  and  was  never  really  completed.  It  stood  south  of  the 
present  church,  on  land  now  owned  by  Mr.  Van  Cleef,  a  barn-like 
structure  without  paint  or  any  thing  inviting  about  it. 

In  process  of  time  difficulties  in  regard  to  its  occupancy  sprung 
up  among  the  people,  and  tliose  who  were  attached  to  the  doc- 
trines and  orders  of  the  national  church  in  Holland  determined  to 
erect  another  church  for  themselves.  The  Presbyterians  had  sup- 
plies given  them  by  presbytery,  and  continued  their  own  services 
for  many  years,  a  Mr.  Elmore  preaching  for  tliem,  among  the 
last,  at  or  near  the  beginning  of  tlie  present  century.  There  was 
even  a  long  correspondence  between  the  presbytery  and  classis  in 
reference  to  their  I'espective  riglits  to  the  territory  in  and  about 
Millstone.  Finally  their  church  edifice  became  unsafe,  and  was 
taken  down  in  the  year  1809.  It  was  a  small  house  with  a  very 
steep  roof,  without  cupola,  and  plain  in  its  profile.     When  re- 


274  HISTORICAL   NOTES. 

moved,  the  laud  was  sold  and  the  avails  divided  among  the  heirs 
of  the  original  donor,  a  Mr.  Ten  Eyck,  and  so  the  Presbyterian 
interest  in  Millstone  ceased. 

On  the  26th  July,  176(5,  seventy  heads  of  families,  namely, 
Peter  Schenck,  Cornelias  Van  Liew,  Ilend.  Probasco,  Ab.  Van 
Beuren,  Heud.  Schenck,  Jice  Smock,  John  Vanderveer,  Lawr. 
Vauderveer,  Rem.  Ditmars,  Bergun  Coevert,  Jr.,  Sara.  Brewer, 
John  Vandoren,  John  Smock,  Peter  Stryker,  Dan.  Coeverfc,  Jac. 
WyckofF,  Jac.  Van  Nostrand,  Hendk.  Wilson,  Jerh.  Douty,  Jan 
Stryker,  Cor.  Lott,  John  Probasco,  Christian  Van  Doren,  Ab. 
Van  Doren,  Phil  Folkerson,  John  Blanco,  Peter  Blanco,  Ab. 
Metzelaer,  Peter  Perrine,  Bergon  HufF,  Jer.  Stillwell,  Jac.  Stryker, 
William  George  Prall,  Mary  Arrismith,  Jacob  Metzelaer,  Ai-on  Van 
Doren,  William  Spader,  Peter  Cavaleer,  Peter  Wilson,  John  Chris- 
topher, John  Brokau,  John  Iloogelandt,  John  Coevert,  Mindert 
Wilson,  Isaac  Brokau,  Joseph  Arrismith,  Joseph  Vanderveer, 
Rem.  Garretson,  Juryee  Van  Cleef,  Derrick  Croesen,  Peter 
WyckofF,  John  Powelson,  Steplien  Terhuue,  Douwe  Ditmars, 
Hendk. Vanderveer,  Luke  Rynierson,ReynierVan  Hengelen,  Sam- 
uel Gerretson,  Jac.  Gerretson,  StofFel  Van  Arsdalen,  Gerret  Ter- 
huue, Josh.  Cornell,  Barent  Stryker,  Gertje  Cornel,  John  Ditmars, 
Roelof  Terhuue,  Marritje  Van  Nuys,  and  William  Corteljou,  ad- 
dressed a  ^^  ■petition''''  to  the  Dutch  ministers  and  elders  of  Raritan, 
New-Brunswick,  Six-Mile  Run,  and  over  the  Millstone,  (now  Har- 
lingen,)  as  follows  :  "  We,  the  undersigned,  belonging  to  the  afore- 
said congregations,  and  living  where  the  four  congregations  meet, 
finding  it  very  inconvenient,  and  sometimes  impossible,  to  attend 
the  Dutch  church  or  Dutch  sei-vices  with  our  families,  which,  in 
view  of  God's  command  and  our  baptismal  vows,  we  feel  to  be 
the  duty  of  ourselves  and  our  children,  and  also  for  other  reasons 
which  we  might  present,  therefore  we  have  deliberated  whether  a 
new  congregation  ought  not  to  be  established,  by  taking  some 
from  each  of  these  congregations ;  and  having  considered  it  advi- 
sable, we  request  respectfully  your  counsel  and  advice.  If  our 
desire  be  approved — and  our  prayer  is  that  it  may  prosper — and 
we,  on  the  Lord's  day,  once  a  month,  or  as  often  as  possible,  may 
be  served  by  our  three  ministers,  then.  For  the  accomplishment  of 
the  same,  we  will  provide  a  place  of  worship  and  a  salary.  This 
petition  we  sign  with  respect,  submission,  and  love,  praying  Al- 
mi«-hty  God  to  overrule  all  things  for  the  best.     And  further- 


HISTORICAL   NOTES.  275 

more,  tlie  salary,  -is  is  usual,  shall  be  paid  by  eacli  one  of  us. 
The  reverend  ministers  above  mentioned  are  invited,  with  elders 
from  each  of  the  congregations,  to  come  together  at  the  house  of 
Peter  Suhenck,  on  Monday,  the  11th  day  of  August  proximo." 

Accordingly,  on  the  Uth  day  of  August,  1766,  Kev.  John 
Leydt,  pastor  of  tlie  churclies  of  New-Brunswick  and  Six-Mile 
Run,  with  an  elder  respectively  from  each,  namely,  Ilendnck 
Fisher  and  Abraham  Voorhees ;  Kev.  Jacob  K.  Hardenbergh,  of 
Raritan,  with  the  elder  Reynier  Van  Neste,  and  the  Rev.  J.  M. 
Van  Harlingen,  of  Neshanic  and  Sourland,  with  elders  Simon  Van 
Arsdalen  and  Johannes  De  Mott,  met  together  at  the  house  of 
Peter  Schenck,  and,  after  prayCr,  each  of  the  points  of  the  peti- 
tion was  thoroughly  discussed,  and  the  petition  and  plan  were 
approved,  except  that  the  new  congregation  should  not  have  the 
eeraces  of  the  three  ministers  without  the  consent  of  their  re- 
Bpective  congregations,  as  it  would  infringe  on  their  calls.  They 
at  once,  after  arriving  at  these  conclusions,  proceeded  to  elect  a 
consistory  and  to  establish  the  congregation  under  the  name  of 
^'- JSFeio- I\IUlstone.''''  Joseph  Cornell  and  Peter  Schenck  were 
chosen  the  first  elders,  and  Johannes  Hoogelandt  and  Abraham 
Van  Doren,  M.D.,  the  first  deacons.  Dominie  Leydt,  of  New- 
Brunswick,  was  appointed  to  ordain  the  new  consistory  on  a  sub- 
sequent day,  (date  not  given ;)  but,  being  prevented  from  per- 
forming this  service  by  an  accident.  Dr.  Hardenbergh,  of  Raritan, 
attended  to  it  in  his  place,  and  the  church  was  regularly  ushered 
into  being,  the  first  regular  organization  in  the  county  of  Somer- 
set. 

The  three  neigliboring  ministers,  by  an  arrangement  Avith  their 
congregations,  preached  each  at  Millstone  four  Sabbaths  in  a 
year,  giving  them,  in  this  way,  one  service  in  a  month.  This, 
however  small  it  seems  to  be,  continued  to  be  the  arrangement 
for  eight  years. 

The  first  thing  the  consistory  attempted,  in  furtherance  of  tlieir 
purpose  to  secure  for  themselves  and  their  children  the  ordinances 
of  the  church,  was  to  erect  a  house  of  worship.  A  subscription 
was  circulated  as  early  as  December  of  the  year  1766,  which 
amounted  to  £446,  or  $1115.  The  subscribers  agreed  to  pay  their 
quotas  in  four  installments,  at  intervals  of  six  months,  beginning 
on  IMay  1st,  1767.  The  conditions  of  subscription  provided  that 
the  house  should  be  built  on  land  near  "  Somerset  Court-house" — 


276  HISTORICAL  NOTES. 

Millstone  being  then  the  county-seat — the  land  to  be  bought  of 
John  Smock,  and  that  the  church  should  unite  with  the  "  Coetus 
party,"  the  party  of  liberty  and  advancement,  as  then  understood. 
Aid  pecuniarily  was  sought  both  in  New- York  and  Long  Island, 
and  a  subscription  amounting  to  |260  obtained.  The  land  for, 
this  church  was  ultimately  given  by  John  Van  Doren,  immedi- 
ately north  of  the  present  parsonage  lot.  It  is,  at  present,  in- 
cluded in  the  garden  of  Di*.  Fred.  Blackwell.  But  John  Smock, 
who  owned  the  site  where  the  church  now  stands,  being  willing 
to  exchange  it  for  his  land,  considered  more  eligible,  it  was  taken, 
and  the  deed  stands  in  his  name,  dated  January  7th,  1767,  and 
gives  it  to  seven  trustees,  for  the  use  of  the  congregation.  Their 
names  are  Rem.  Ditmars,  Hendrick  Wilson,  John  Probasco,  John 
Vanderveer,  Cornelius  Van  Liew,  John  Van  Doren,  and  Henry 
Probasco.  It  comprised  8^  tenths  of  an  acre,  and  was  valued  at 
£10.  It  has  been  enlarged  by  three  different  purchases  since,  and 
now  includes  a  little  more  than  one  acre.  The  house  of  worship 
was  completed  in  about  a  year  and  three  months  from  the  date 
of  the  organization  of  the  church.  Like  the  churches  of  that  day 
it  was  longer  in  front  than  in  depth.  It  contained  in  all  sixty 
pews.  In  the  Revolution  it  was  greatly  damaged  by  the  use  to 
which  it  was  subjected  by  the  ti'oops  at  different  times  ;  but,  being 
repaired,  it  stood  for  sixty  years,  and  was  finally  succeeded  by 
the  present  house,  the  corner-stone  of  which  was  laid  on  the  8th 
of  June,  1828. 

The  baptismal  register  commences  April  3d,  1767,  with  Eva,  a 
daughter  of  Dr.  Van  Beuren.  At  this  time  the  church  numbered 
only  fifteen  members  in  communion,  including  the  elders  and  dea- 
cons. Ten  were  added  in  confession  and  two  by  certificate,  while  the 
first  arrangement  of  supplies  from  neighboring  ministers  continued, 
and  about  $40  per  year  was  paid  bj'  the  Church  of  Millstone  to 
the  different  consistories  for  the  services  of  their  pastors  in  that 
church. 

In  the  year  1774,  on  the  23d  of  July,  contemplating  the  settle- 
ment of  a  pastor  for  themselves,  the  congregation  purchased  a  pai'- 
sonage  farm,  containing  about  fifty-three  acres.  It  is  now  the  resi- 
dence of  J.  H.  Wilson,  Esq.  The  house  on  it  needed  repairs,  and 
these  were  provided  for  at  once  ;  and  now,  being,  as  they  believed, 
fully  px'epared  to  sustain  public  worship  among  themselves, 
they  renewed  tlieir  call  upon  the  Rev.  Christian   Frederick  Foer- 


HISTORICAL   KOTES.  277 

ing,  of  the  t::ty  of  New- York,  a  preacher  in  the  German  Chnrch, 
and  then-  call  was  accepted  October,  l774.  He  liad  been  called 
as  co-pastor  with  Dr.  Hardenbergh,  of  Raritan,  in  November  of 
the  preceding  year,  but  had  declined.  He  represents,  in  a  letter, 
that  the  Dutch  language  was  rapidly  passing  away  from  Mill- 
stone, and  that  he  was  expected  to  preach  only  in  English,  so 
that  we  have  the  time  fixed  when  English  preaching  only  began 
in  Millstone. 

Rev.  C.  F.  Foering  was  a  native  of  Hanover,  German}^ ;  was 
e;lucated  at  Germantown,  Pa.,  probably  under  G.  H.  Dorstius 
a  contemporary  and  friend  of  T.  J.  Frelingliuysen  ;  was  called  to 
the  German  Reformed  churcli  of  Germantown,  in  1771  ;  and  on 
the  21st  of  March,  1772,  received  a  call  to  New- York  City,  as 
successor  to  the  Rev.  Mr.  Kern.  In  process  of  time  he  had  trans- 
ferred his  ecclesiastical  relations  to  the  Coetus,  which  prepared 
the  way  for  his  entering  into  connection  with  the  Dutch  Church. 
He  was  di'iven  from  his  home  by  fear  of  the  British  soldiery, 
constantly  ravishing  the  district  of  Millstone  during  the  winter 
of  1779.  He  was  sick,  and  from  the  exposure  contracted  a  cold 
which  led  to  phthisis,  and  he  died  on  the  29th  of  March,  1779. 
His  remains  were  interred  under  the  pulpit  of  his  cliurch,  and 
still  rest  there.  He  was  eminently  a  good  man  and  a  most 
faithful  pastor. 

In  the  mean  time  the  court-house  in  the  village  had  been 
burned  by  Lieut.-Colonel  Simcoe's  Queen's  Rangers  on  the  2Gth 
of  the  preceding  October,  and  the  people  from  all  their  suffering-! 
and  losses  were  almost  in  despair;  but  Providence  interposed  and 
sent  them,  unexj)ectedly.  Rev.  Solomon  Froeligli,  who  became 
their  pastor.  He  appeared  in  Millstone  in  the  spring  of  1780  as 
an  exile  from  Long  Island.  The  people  at  once,  through  the 
influence  and  advice  of  the  Rev.  J.  M.  Van  Harlingen,  nego- 
tiated with  him  for  his  services.  He  declined  a  temporary  arrange- 
ment, but  offered  to  accept  a  call.  It  was  instantly  made  out 
for  him,  and  he  accepted  it  and  moved  into  the  parsonage  on 
the  5th  of  June  the  same  year.  It  was  not  competent  for  him 
to  obtain  a  dismission  from  his  charge  on  Long  Island,  and  hence 
the  synod  meeting  in  October,  at  New-Paltz,  took  the  unusual 
measure  of  empowering  a  committee,  raised  to  settle  the  dispute 
of  boundaries  between  ^rillstone  and  the  neighboring  congrega- 
tions, in  case  they  succeeded,  to  approve  the  call  and  grant  him 
18 


278  HISTORICAL   NOTES. 

a  dismission  from  his  charge  on  Long  Island,  that  he  miglit  be 
able  to  accept  the  call  and  become  the  pastor  of  Millstone. 

The  minute  of  this  action  is  of  sufficient  importance  to  quote  : 
"  At  the  same  time,  the  conmiittee  are  hereby  authorized,  in  the 
name  of  this  reverend  body,  to  approve  the  call  made  by  the  con- 
gregation of  New-Millstone  upon  Mr.  Solomon  Froeligh,  and  there- 
upon (in  this  very  unusual  case)  to  dismiss  him  from  his  former 
oono-regations  on  Long  Island,  from  which,  having  been  driven 
by  the  enemy  in  these  disturbed  times,  he  can  obtain  no  regular 
ecclesiastical  discharge,  being  fully  satisfied  of  his  blameless, 
profitable,  and  edifying  converse  in  these  congregations,  as  also 
in  others  in  which  he  has  since  served  ;  and  as  a  committee  for 
this  purpose  Drs.  Hermanns  Meyers,  Dirck  Romeyn,  Samuel  Ver- 
bryck,  and  Benjamin  Duboise,  or  any  two  of  them,  are  appointed, 
each  with  an  elder  from  his  congregation."  (Minutes  of  Coetus, 
Oct.  3d,  1780.) 

In  the  mean  time,  before  the  settlement  was  consummated, 
Neshanic  applied  for  a  participation  in  Mr.  Froeligh's  services, 
though  it  constituted,  with  Sourland,  a  part  of  the  pastoral 
charo-e  of  J.  M.  Van  Harlingen.  Articles  of  agreement  were 
entered  into,  and  the  call,  as  finally  approved,  embraces  the  two 
churches,  and  is  dated  Sept.  4th,  iVSO.  He  was  to  preach  tAvo 
Sabbaths  out  of  three  at  Millstone  and  one  at  Neshanic,  and 
alternate  the  Dutch  and  English  languages.  At  Neshanic,  in  the 
lono-  days  of  summer,  he  was  to  preach  twice  a  day,  after  a  short 
intermission,  and  was  to  receive  from  Millstone  160  bushels  of 
o-ood  wheat,  and  from  Neshanic  108.  It  was  changed  April! 2th, 
l781,  to  £120  proclamation  money,  divided  between  the  two 
congregations,  Neshanic  providing  £40  and  Millstone  £80  of  the 
sum  total. 

On  October  1st,  1782,  the  synod  convened  at  Millstone,  but  it 
consisted  only  of  nine  members.  Dr.  Derick  Romeyn  preached 
the  opening  sermon  from  Isaiah  4  :  5,  and  Dr.  Hermanns  Meyer, 
of  Pompton,  presided.  At  this  meeting  the  Rev.  Simeon  Van 
Arsdalen  was  examined  for  licensure.  He  became  soon  after  tlie 
pastor  of  Readington,  and  died  early. 

Solomon  Froeligh  labored  in  his  charge  in  Somerset  county 
about  six  years.  He  then  received,  1786,  a  call  from  the  united 
cono-regations  of  Hackensack  and  Schralenbergh,  which  he 
accepted.     Here  he  labored  and  died  Oct.  Sth,  1827.     The  latter 


HISTORICAL    NOTES.  279 

part  of  Ills  career  was  unfortunate  botli  to  hiui  and  to  the 
church.  He  was  the  principal  occasion  of  the  secession  of  cer- 
tain ministers  in  1823  in  Bergen  County,  and  on  the  Mohawk, 
calling  themselves  tlie  True  Reformed  Dutch  Church ;  was 
deposed  and  never  restored  to  his  functions  as  a  minister  and 
professor.  The  temporary  union  between  Neshanic  and  Mill- 
stone ceased  when  Froeligh  left.  Mr.  Leydt  having  also  in  the 
mean  time  died,  N^ew-Brunswick  and  Six-Mile  Run  became  dis- 
connected, and  a  new  alliance  was  formed. 

It  was  now  determined  to  unite  Millstone  witli  Six-Mile  Run, 
and  to  call  the  Rev.  John  M.  Van  Harlingen,  a  young  man  just 
licensed  by  the  synod  convened  in  New- York,  October,  1780. 
The  call  is  dated  May  1st,  1787.  The  churches  were  to  pay  him 
£130  in  equal  parts,  and  to  have  equal  services.  In  Millstone 
one  half  the  service  was  to  be  in  English,  and  at  Six-Mile  Run 
one  third.  We  have  given  the  history  of  this  pastorate  in  our 
notes  on  Six-Mile  Run.  The  same  union  continued  to  exist 
under  Dr.  Cannon.  He  was  ordained  and  installed  at  Millstone 
May  1st,  1797,  and  continued  to  serve  the  people  until  1807, 
when  the  connection  between  the  two  churches  was  dissolved  and 
Dr.  Cannon  became  the  pastor  of  Six-Mile  Run  alone,  and  Mill- 
stone called  the  Rev.  John  Schureman.  He  was  called  from 
Bedminster  April  20th,  1807.  He  was  a  native  of  New-Bruns- 
wick, a  descendant  of  Jacobus  Schureman,  who  came  from  Hol- 
land with  Frelinghuysen  and  married  a  sister  of  his  Avife,  a  Miss 
Terhune,  of  Long  Island.  He  was  born  Oct.  19th,  1778,  gra- 
duated from  Queen's  College  1795,  studied  under  Dr.  Livingston, 
and  was  licensed  in  1800.  He  had  been  settled  at  Bedminster 
about  six  years.  He  lived  during  his  residence  at  Millstone  in 
the  place  occu}»ied  by  Mr.  Jacob  Van  Cleef,  near  Blackwell's 
Mills.  His  connection  with  Millstone  was  very  brief.  He  re- 
ceived a  call  from  the  Collegiate  Church  in  New- York,  and  the 
Consistory  of  Millstone  agreed  to  unite  with  him  in  a  request 
for  a  dissolution  of  their  connection  Nov.  l7th,  1809. 

John  Schureman  was  not  robust  in  his  health,  and  soon  left  the 
city  for  a  place  in  the  college  and  died  there  May  15th,  1818.  Dr. 
Gabriel  Ludlow,  who  knew  him  well,  says  of  him,  "He  was  one- 
of  the  worthiesof  our  church,  a  man  greatly  beloved  and  confided 
in.  He  had  nothing  very  remarkable  in  his  appearance  or  man- 
ner.    A   stranger  on   meeting  liim  or  passing  him  would  proba- 


■280  HISTORICAL   NOTES. 

bly  have  tliought  or  said,  '  There  goes  a  sensible,  kind-hearted 
man,  an  unpretending,  humble  man.'  His  constitution  of  body- 
was  rather  frail  from  his  childhood,  and  needed  care  on  his  own 
part  and  indulgence  on  the  part  of  those  to  whom  lie  ministered, 
to  keep  him  at  all  in  a  proper  condition  for  the  pastoral  Avork. 
When  called  to  New- York,  he  sustained  his  reputation  and  cora- 
|)eted  successfully  with  some  of  the  most  popular  city  ministers. 
He  could  not  preach  anything  but  a  solid,  judicious  discourse, 
logically  arranged,  and  therefore  lucid  in  every  part  and  symme- 
trical. In  his  style  he  was  not  strong  or  sparkling,  but  simple, 
'dear,  neat,  direct.  In  manner  not  rapid  or  fervid  or  impas- 
sioned, but  distinct  in  his  enunciation,  just  in  emphasis,  affection- 
ate in  tone,  with  not  much  but  proper  and  rather  graceful  gesti- 
culation ;  altogether  making  the  impression  of  a  man  that  felt  in 
his  own  soul  the  power  of  the  truth  and  was  desirous  that  his 
hearers  should  be  profited  by  his  ministrations.  His  course  was 
a  short  one,  though  useful  while  and  as  long  as  it  lasted.  It  was 
a  melancholy  day  when  the  tidings  came  that  Dr.  Schureman  was 
no  more,  and  it  was  another  melancholy  day  when  those  who 
loved  him  (and  they  were  many)  assembled  to  commit  his 
remains  to  their  long  resting-place.  Even  the  tolling  bell  was 
mute  in  mercy  to  the  stricken,  bereaved  widow.  The  character- 
istics of  the  man,  on  only  a  short  acquaintance,  were  amiability, 
solidity,  and  Christian  discretion.  These  qualities  showed  them- 
.selves  everywhere  and  at  all  times,  in  his  family,  among  his 
pupils  and  his  people  when  lie  had  a  pastoral  charge,  and  in  all 
bis  intercourse.  If  Dr.  Schureman  had  showed  himself  harsh, 
selfish,  frivolous,  rash,  every  one  that  knew  him  would  have  been 
astonished  with  great  astonishment.  Such  manifestations  would 
have  been  thought  foreign  to  the  man.  People  would  almost 
have  thought  that  there  was  something  like  a  temporary  metem- 
psychosis in  the  case.  It  is  now  nearly  if  not  quite  half  a  cen- 
•tury  since  he  passed  away  from  among  us,  but  we  who  survive 
him  among  his  pupils  still  think  of  him  with  a  mournful  plea- 
sure, and  make  powerful  draughts  upon  memory  that  we  may 
.recall  all  that  is  possible  of  such  a  man  and  such  an  instructor." 
His  remains  sleep  beside  the  other  professors  in  the  churchyard 
in  ISTew-Brunswick.  We  have  given  a  fuller  account  of  him 
.already  as  one  of  the  pastors  of  the  church  in  that  city.  Perhaps 
:we  ought  to  have  been  satisfied  Avith  what  was  said,  but  we  felt 


HISTORICAL   NOTES.  281 

like  giving  a  wider  publication  to  Dr.  Ludlow's  admirable  sketch 
of  the  man.     It  is  a  finished  picture. 

When  Dr.  Schurenian  left  Millstone  the  church  seemed  to  be 
almost  in  despair.  It  was  a  great  loss  indeed;  but  that  kind 
Providence  which  watched  over  the  interests  of  the  yet  feeble 
congregation  interposed  and  gave  relief.  The  attention  of  the 
people  was  directed  to  the  Rev.  John  L.  Zabriskie,  settled  over 
the  united  churches  of  Greenbush  and  Winantskill,  near  Albany. 
He  preached  at  Millstone  for  t)ie  first  time  in  the  month  of 
February,  iSlO,  and  took  charge  of  the  church,  moving  his 
family  into  the  village  in  the  month  of  May,  1811.  He  was, 
installed  by  Dr.  Cannon,  and  he  remained  with  the  church  as  one 
of  her  most  faithful  pastors  until  he  died  Aug.  15th,  1850— 39 
years  and  three  months. 

John  L.  Zabrfekie  was,  it  is  said,  of  Polish  extraction,  a  de- 
scendant of  Albert  Saborowiski,  who  arrived  in  tliis  country  in 
the  Fox,  in  1GG2,  and  of  the  fourth  generation;  born  March  4th, 
1779.  He  graduated  at  Union  College,  Schenectady,  in  the  very 
first  class,  in  1798;  studied  theology  with  Dr.  Derick  Pomeyn, 
and  was  licensed  by  the  Classis  of  Rensselaer  in  1801.  He 
settled  as  successor  to  the  Rev.  J.  V.  C.  Romeyn  almost  imme- 
diately at  Greenljush  and  Winantskill,  and  continued  to  serve 
these  churches  faithfully  and  acceptably  for  eight  years.  The 
church  at  Millstone  Avas  comparatively  weak,  having  only  about 
70  members  in  its  communion  and  84  families,  when  he  consented 
to  take  charge  of  it.  After  preaching  eighteen  years  in  the  old 
church,  he  succeeded  finally  in  inducing  his  people  to  build  a  new 
one,  the  present  building — sufficiently  commodious  and  convenient 
for  all  who  desire  to  attend  the  services  in  it,  at  least  at  the  pre- 
sent time. 

The  present  writer  preached  his  funeral  sermon,  and  afterward 
gave  in  Corwin's  Manual  the  following  as  his  conception  of  what 
the  man  was,  what  he  deserved  to  be  esteemed,  and  how  he  had 
labored  in  the  Gospel  for  so  many  years. 

During  his  long  and  faithful  pastorate  at  Millstone  he  main- 
tained his  influence  and  his  standing  nnto  the  end.  He  was 
a  man  of  many  excellences ;  kind,  social,  vmaffected,  and 
sincerely  and  zealously  pious,  a  gentleman  of  the  old  school, 
simple  in  his  tastes,  unostentatious  in  his  life,  and  unsophisticated 


-282  HISTORICAL   NOTES. 

in  his  dail)'^  conduct.  All  who  knew  him  loved  him,  and  those 
who  knew  him  best  loved  him  most. 

He  was  one  of  the  most  laborious  and  successful  pastors  in 
Somerset  County.  He  preached  and  lectured  more,  visited  more 
families,  and  attended  more  carefully  to  all  his  public  duties, 
than  almost  any  minister  of  his  time.  He  was  considered  by  all 
an  example  not  only,  but  also  a  monitor,  in  his  official  life. 

His  talents  were  good.  His  mind  was  more  judicious,  solid,  and 
safe  than  brilliant  or  endowed  with  genius.  He  was  a  wise  man, 
a  sensible  man,  a  man  to  be  depended  on.  His  counsel  was 
always  judicious,  and  no  one  ever  erred  much  in  following  it. 
Hence,  he  himself  made  no  mistakes  of  importance,  had  no  con- 
troversies ;  and,  Avhile  his  friends  were  numerous,  his  enemies 
belonged  to  those  whomhis  principles  and  his  holy  life  necessarily 
brought  in  contact  of  opposition  to  him.  ' 

He  was  an  excellent  preacher ;  and  though  he  seldom  wrote  his 
sermons,  they  were  solid,  sensible,  full  of  evangelical  thought,  and 
listened  to  with  profit  by  all  the  earnest-hearted  and  godly  in  his 
congregation.  His  knowledge  of  the  Gospel  was  full,  distinctive, 
and  clear;  and  when  he  had  discussed  any  one  of  its  doctrines, 
his  hearers  felt  that  they  had  had  very  important  matters  brought 
to  their  consideration,  in  a  way  which  was  calculated  both  to  im- 
press their  minds  and  edify  their  hearts.  Few  men  could  si>eak 
more  judiciously  and  appropriately  from  the  impulse  of  the 
moment,  on  any  ordinary  subject,  than  he  did.  Often  there  was 
a  neatness,  terseness,  and  directness  which  made  his  discourse 
highly  pleasing ;  always  he  was  edifying  and  instructive. 

Then  he  was  a  genial  man ;  and  in  his  social  intercourse  could 
astonish  you  by  his  wit,  his  sarcasm,  and  even  drollery.  But  this 
was  only  occasionally,  and  when  he  seemed  to  be  carried  out  of 
his  ordinary  sphere.  Habitually  he  was  grave,  thoughtful,  and, 
though  never  reserved,  by  no  means  a  facetious  man.  He  was  too 
earnest  and  full  of  thought  for  any  trifling  or  levity  at  any  time. 

His  life  was  unstained  by  even  a  breath  of  evil.  No  one  ever 
doubted  his  piely,  or  the  sincerity  of  his  admonitions,  when  he 
reprobated  vice  and  reproved  iniquity,  for  they  knew  his  pure 
heart  impelled  him. 

By  his  simple  habits  and  economy,  Avhile  in  the  receipt  of  only 
a  small  stipend,  he  was  able  to  accumulate  a  large  estate  and 
leave  it  as  an  inheritance  to  his  children.     This,  however,  resulted 


HISTORICAL   NOTES.  288 

chiefly  from  tlie  early  possession  of  his  own  patrimony,  managed 
with  priiclence  and  care,  and  not  h'om  any  savi?u/s  out  of  his  salary. 
In  a  word,  he  was  a  good  mini,  full  of  faith  and  of  the  Holy 
Ghost,  useful  in  his  day,  lamented  when  he  passed  away  ;  and  he 
lias  left  a  name  which  will  have  a  savor  of  excellence  for  many 
generations — especially  among  those  for  whose  spiritual  good  he 
labored,  and  whose  fathers  and  mothers  he  was  the  instruuieut 
of  bringing  into  the  kingdom. 

lie  sleeps  in  view  of  tlie  front  door  of  his  church,  and  his  chil- 
dren have  inscribed  upon  his  monument  these  words  :  "  In  memory 
of  John  Lansing  Zabriskie,  born  March  4th,  1779  ;  died,  August 
15th,  1850.  For  more  than  50  years  a  minister  of  God :  from  1811 
until  his  death,  pastor  of  the  Reformed  Dutch  Church  of  Mill- 
stone. Pure  in  life,  sincere  of  purpose,  with  zeal,  perseverance, 
and  prudence,  devoted  to  the  service  of  his  Master.  Here  amid 
the  loved  people  of  his  charge,  his  earthly  remains  await  the 
resurrection  of  the  just."  On  his  wife's  monument  is  Avritten  : 
"Sarah  Barrea,  wife  of  Kev.  J.  L.  Zabriskie,  born  May  11th,  l78G  ; 
died  December  21st,  185G." 

A  colleague  had  been  provided  for  him  just  before  he  died,  but 
had  not  yet  been  installed.  The  Rev.  John  De  Witt  ministered 
at  Millstone  from  1850  to  1863',  when  he  was  chosen  Professor  of 
Languages  in  the  Seminary  at  New-Brunswick,  and  was  suc- 
ceeded by  the  present  incumbent,  Kev.  E.  Tanjore  Corwiii. 

In  1855,  the  congregation  was  divided,  and  the  inhabitants  on 
the  east  side  of  the  river  became  organized  as  the  Cliurch  of 
East-Millstone.  Giles  Vandewall  served  them  for  two  years. 
Rev.  David  Cole  for  five  years.  Rev.  Mr.  Berger  for  three  years. 
Rev.  Mr.  Phraner  for  two  or  more,  and  Rev.  IMr.  Williams  is  the 
present  incumbent,  and  the  church  is  prosperous. 


THE  CHURCH  OF  BEDMINSTER. 

Bedminstek  was  originally  an  outpost  of  Raritan,  and  tlie 
necessity  of  a  church  there  grew  out  of  the  settlement  of  certain 
fixmilies  of  influence  in  that  vicinity.  We  may  mention  Jacobus 
and  Peter  Vanderveer,  Matthew  Lane,  Guisbert  Sutpliin,  and 
others  as  anionic  these  families.     Tlie  first  record  which  remain.s. 


284  HISTOEICAL   NOTES. 

having  reference  to  the  chnrcli  at  Bed  minster,  is  found  in  the 
Book  of  Minutes  belonging  to  the  church  at  Raritan,  and  is  dated 
December  25th,  1758.  It  is  in  the  handwriting  of  J.  R.  Harden- 
bergh,  and  recites  that  at  a  meeting  of  the  consistories  of  North- 
Branch,  Neslianic,  Bedminster,  Millstone,  and  Raritan,  at  the 
house  of  J.  R.  Hardenbergh,  in  Soraerville,  Dominies  Leydt  and 
Hardenbergh,  "a  proponent,"  beiuu:  present,  when  it  is  stated, 
among  other  things,  that  the  elders,  Jacob  Banta  and  Jacob  Van- 
derveer,  and  the  deacons,  Rynier  Van  Neste  and  Cornelius  Lane, 
were  chosen  as  overseers  (opsienderen)  for  the  first  time  in  the 
congregation  of  Bedminster,  This,  then,  is  the  first  consistory, 
and  tliis  is  properly  the  organization  of  the  Church  of  Bed- 
minster. 

The  next  is  dated  December  13th,  1759,  and  proceeds  to  fix  upon 
a  line  between  Bedminster  and  Raritan,  and  states  that  this  shall 
be  the  lane  or  line  running  easterly  and  westerly  between  Paulus 
Auten  and  Hendrick  Van  Arsdalen,  provided  the  persons  on 
either  side  were  willing  to  go  to  Bedminster  or  Raritan  respec- 
tively. Again,  June  24th,  1759,  the  following  persons  were  ap- 
pointed "  helpers"  in  the  respective  congregations :  For  Raritan, 
Cornelius  Kozyne  ;  Bedminster,  Fredrick  Banta ;  Millstone,  Jaco- 
bus Van  Arsdalen. 

In  17G1,  November  25tli,  at  a  meeting  of  the  consistory  of  Bed- 
minster, at  the  house  of  Jacob  Vanderveer,  Johannes  Haas  and 
Jan  Voorhees  were  admitted  to  communion  on  confession  of  their 
faith,  and  Matthew  Lane  by  certificate. 

March  8th,  1762,  Jacob  Vanderveer  was  continued  as  an  elder, 
and  John  Voorhees  chosen  deacon,  in  the  place  of  Ryniei*  Van 
Neste. 

December  31st,  1 764,  Maria  Folkerson,  wife  of  Folkert  Folkerson, 
Maria  Woertman,  wife  of  Jan  Woertman,  and  Cathrine  Bordt, 
wife  of  N.  N.  Bordt,  were  admitted  to  communion  on  confession 
of  faith,  and  on  the  1st  of  April  were  baj^tized.  We  have  gather- 
ed these  items  from  the  minute-book  of  the  Raritan  Church,  in  the 
handwriting  of  Dr.  Hardenbergh. 

Tliere  are  no  records  which  enable  us  to  determine  when  the 
first  house  of  worship  was  built,  but  it  was  probably  commenced 
tliat  same  year,  or  the  next  at  furthest,  making  its  date  1759  or 
1760. 

It  was  built  upon  land  donated  by  Jacobus  Vanderveer.     It 


HISTORICAL   NOTES.  285 

was  a  wooden  structure,  and  stood  fronting  to  tlie  south  on  the 
same  ground  upon  which  tlie  present  cliurch  stands.  The  front 
door  was  directly  opposite  tlie  pulpit,  and  the  galleries  were  in  the 
two  ends.  It  was  longer  in  front  than  in  depth,  never  painted, 
but  had  a  board  ceiling  and  pews,  and  in  its  general  appearance 
resembled  the  old  church  at  Readington,  after  which  it  was  pro- 
bably patterned.  It  stood  until  18 IG,  when  it  was  removed  to 
make  way  for  a  new  building. 

The  present  register  of  baptisms  dates  November  loth,  1801, 
when  the  ministry  of  John  Schureman  began,  and  has  been  con- 
tinued until  the  present.  The  first  infant  baptized  was  Jane, 
daugliter  of  Peter  Lane  ;  and  the  same  day  Simon  Ilageman, 
John  Van  Duyn,  Cornelius  Powelson,  and  Cornelius  Doty  had 
their  children  baptized. 

The  history  of  the  churcli  of  Bedminster  is  involved  in  that  of 
the  church  of  Raritau  from  its  first  organizatioii,  in  1758,  to  the 
close  of  the  ministry  of  Theodor  F.  Romeyii.  It  had  one  third 
part  of  the  services  of  Dr.  Hardenbergh,  as  well  as  of  Romeyn, 
during  this  period  extending  to  1787.  Then  Peter  Studdiford 
supplied  it,  in  connection  with  Readington,  for  thirteen  years  up 
to  1800.  PVom  the  time  when  John  Duryea  resigned  his  call  at 
Raritan  he  served  this  church,  in  connection  with  an  unorganized 
body  of  hearers  at  Potterstown  and  Wliite  House,  for  a  year  or 
more.  During  all  this  time  the  most  of  what  was  done  in  receiv- 
ing members  into  the  communion  and  choosing  elders  and 
deacons  is  to  be  sought  for  in  the  records  of  these  more  promi- 
nent churches.  The  pastors  recorded,  as  was  natural,  in  the  Book 
of  Minutes  of  their  own  churches  the  ministerial  acts  they  performed 
in  Bedminster.  But  tlie  days  of  its  pupilage  were  now  ended. 
It  had  grown  into  i)rosperity  scanty  as  the  supi)ly  of  spiritual 
food  had  been,  and  felt  the  developing  energies  of  mature  life. 
It  determined  to  call  a  pastor  of  its  own. 

The  individual  upon  whom  their  choice  centred  was  John 
Schurenian,  a  native  of  New-Brunswick,  a  graduate  of  Queen's 
College,  a  [)U])il  and  friend  of  Dr.  Livingslon,  and  a  descendant 
of  that  Scliureman  who  came  over  from  Holland  with  Theodorus 
Jacobus  Frelinghuysen  in  1720  as  a  friend,  an  assistant,  and  a 
teacher.  His  call  was  dated  Nov.  13th,  1800.  He  was  in  the  23d 
year  of  his  age  when  he  accepted,  and  gave  to  Bedminster  the 
freshness  of  his  mind  as  well  as  his  religious  afiections.     That 


286  HISTORICAL   NOTES. 

such  a  young  man  as  Schureman  was  should  be  greatly  admu-ed 
and  more  loved  in  Bedminster  was  no  more  natural  tlian  it  was 
necessary.  His  memory  is  yet  cherished  in  many  households,  and 
his  name  connected  with  not  a  few.  He  served  the  church  faithfully 
for  six  and  a  lialf  years,  and  went  on,  being  called,  to  Millstone; 
to  New-York,  after  being  there  only  two  years,  and  then  to  New- 
Brunswick  and  to  an  early  grave  in  1818,  regretted  by  all  who 
knew  liim.     His  dismission  is  dated  May  25th,  1807. 

In  July,  1808,  Charles  Hardenbergh  was  called  from  Warwick, 
New- York,  and  served  until  May,  1820,  twelve  years,  and  then 
went  to  New-York  City  as  pastor  of  the  church  in  Greenwich 
Village,  and  died  there  of  yellow  fever  after  a  little  more  than 
a  year's  service.  His  remains  were  first  deposited  in  a  vault 
belonging  to  the  church,  but  were  subsequently  removed  to 
Woodlawn  Cemetery,  and  the  tablet  erected  to  his  memory 
inserted  in  a  monument,  where  it  can  yet  be  seen.  He  did  a 
great  work  in  Bedminster;  a  new  church  was  built  in  181 7  and 
1818,  a  classical  school  founded,  and  the  cause  of  education 
generally  encouraged  and  elevated.  The  sermon  which  he 
preached  at  the  dedication  of  the  church,  April  IStli,  1818,  was 
published,  and  remains  an  evidence  of  his  scholarship  as  well  as 
his  piety.     It  has  become  exceedingly  scarce. 

Charles  Hardenbergh  was  a  native  of  Rosendale,  in  the 
County  of  Ulster,  and  was  a  direct  lineal  descendant  of  Johannes 
Hardenbergh,  the  proprietor  of  the  Harden bei-gh  Patent,  and 
Avas  born  about  lYSO.  He  studied  under  Dr.  Froeligh  and  was 
licensed  by  the  Classis  of  Paramus  in  1802.  He  preached  as  a 
candidate  for  more  than  a  year  in  several  churches,  and  finally 
settled  in  1804  in  the  church  at  Warwick.  Here  he  was  ordained 
and  commenced  his  pastoral  work.  He  came  to  Bedminster  a 
comparatively  young  man.  He  had  a  fine  presence  and  a  nobly 
developed  person.  His  voice  was  sonorous  and  sweet,  and  his 
accentuation  proper,  impressive,  and  indicative  of  fine  taste.  It 
was  his  habit,  in  discussing  any  point,  to  glide  away  from  argu- 
ment and  illustration  into  a  strain  of  devotion.  In  this  way  one 
third  of  his  sermon  was  in  reality  a  prayer.  The  effect  Avas 
often  impressive  and  solemn.  He  was  in  the  effects  he  produced 
a  winning  preacher.  His  countenance  preached;  and  his  voice 
and  accentuation  had  as  much  effect  as  his  matter.  This,  liowever, 
was   always    sensible    and   scriptural.       Under   his   labors    the 


HISTORICAL    NOTES.  287 

churcli  grew  to  be  one  of  the  largest  nnd  most  eflicieut  congre- 
gations in  Somerset  County.  It  was  a  day  of  weeping  in  Bed- 
minster  when  he  left,  and  there  were  many  wlio  never  hoped 
ever  to  see  his  like  again. 

After  remaining  vacant  for  one  year,  the  church,  July,  1821, 
called  the  candidate  Isaac  Morehead  Fisher.  He  came  to  Bed- 
minster  in  his  youth,  served  faithfully  for  seventeen  years,  went 
away  for  one  year,  and  came  back  to  her  with  her  second  call  to 
him  in  his  hand,  and  died  February  14th,  1840,  aged  44  years. 
Mr.  Fisher  was  a  native  of  New- York  City,  and  was  born  in  1796. 
He  graduated  at  Columbia  College  181*7,  and  from  the  Theological 
Seminary  at  New-Brunswick,  and  was  licensed  in  1820.  Mr. 
Fisher  was  a  zealous,  eai-nest  man,  and  did  his  work  in  the 
spirit  of  a  devoted  Chi'istian  man.  He  was  a  powerful  and  im- 
pressive preacher,  highly  evangelical  and  practical  in  his  matter 
and  in  the  tone  in  Avhich  he  put  it  forth.  In  the  pulpit  he  was 
active,  full  of  gesture  and  varied  in  the  intonations  of  his  voice. 
He  made  you  feel  that  he  was  in  earnest  and  desirous  of  convinc- 
ing every  one  of  his  hearers.  He  had  a  military  air,  and  his 
walk  and  action  indicated  authority,  self-reliance,  and  command. 
Yet  he  was  genial,  social,  and  attractive  in  his  familiar  inter- 
course. He  wrote  his  sermons,  especially  in  his  younger  years, 
and  delivered  themmemoriter ;  hence  there  was  freedom,  fullness, 
and  command  of  language,  Avhich  became  at  times  truly  impres- 
sive. He  was  rigidly  orthodox,  and  had  the  system  of  Christian 
theology  fully  before  his  mind  in  all  his  parts,  and  he  was  a  man 
of  many  sorrows.  Dr.  Ferris,  his  classmate,  said  of  him,  "  He  was 
a  capital  theologian  and  a  most  able  defender  of  the  doctrines  of 
our  church.  No  man  among  us  in  the  seminary  was  so  familiar 
with  the  system  of  Dr.  Livingston  and  could  more  intelligently 
explain  and  illustrate  it.  His  critical  acumen  had  been  sharp- 
ened by  the  great  Hopkinsian  controversy,  which  had  pervaded 
the  New- York  churches  a  few  years  before ;  and  Avith  all  its 
points,  both  theological  and  metaphysical,  he  had  made  himself  at 
home.  A  most  honest  and  upright  man  in  his  principles,  he 
enjoyed  the  confidence  of  all  who  knew  him,  and  the  renuxrkably 
uprhjht  physical  man  seemed  the  index  of  the  s[)irit  within."  Ho 
was,  as  we  ourselves  can  well  testify,  all  this.  His  people  mourned 
him  truly  when  they  carried  him  to  the  grave.  His  wife  ha<l 
preceded  him,  and  there  was  only  one  son  left  behind.     On  his 


288  HISTORICAL   NOTES. 

tomb  you  read,  "  This  tomb  covers  the  mortal  remains  of  Rev. 
Isaac  M.  Fisiier  and  Margaret  C.  Martin,  his  wife.  They  departed 
this  life,  the  former  on  the  14th  of  February,  1840,  aged  44 
years  ;  and  the  latter  on  the  31st  of  March,  1838,  aged  42 
years." 

Rev.  J.  M.  Fisher  was  succeeded,  in  October,  1842,  by  George 
Schenck,  a  candidate  just  from  the  Seminary  of  New-Brunswick, 
who  ministered  to  the  congregation  for  twelve  years  and  then 
died.  He  was  born  at  Matteawan,  Kew-York,  inl816,  graduated 
at  Yale  College  in  1837,  and  was  licensed  by  the  Classis  of 
Poughkeepsie  in  1840. 

Mr.  Schenck  was  ordained  and  installed  pastor  at  Bedminster 
in  the  presence  of  the  Classis  of  New-Brunswick,  then  in  session, 
December  25  th,  1840.  Rev.  J.  C.  Sears,  of  Six-Mile  Run,  preached 
the  sermon.  Rev.  Dr.  Messier,  of  Somerville,  gave  the  charge 
to  the  pastor,  and  the  Rev.  J.  K.  Campbell,  of  North-Branch,  the 
charge  to  the  jDeople. 

Rev.  George  Schenck,  when  he  assumed  this  extensive  charge, 
was  just  from  the  seminary,  a  man  in  feeble  health  and  lame  ; 
but  he  proved  himself  one  of  the  most  efficient  pastors.  He  was  a 
small  man  in  stature,  but  not  in  mind  or  in  temperament.  A 
friend  characterizes  him  as  "  an  humble,  meek,  and  fervent  Chris- 
tian, marked  by  more  than  an  ordinary  degree  of  spirituality, 
yet  of  a  lively  disposition,  of  a  ready  wit,  and  a  foe  to  sanctimo- 
niousness. He  was  a  man  of  unbending  integrity,  and  strictly 
conscientious  in  all  his  sentiments.  He  possessed  great  acti- 
vity and  perseverance.  His  small  and  diseased  frame  con- 
tained as  brave  and  resolute  a  spirit  as  ever  came  from  the 
Almighty's  hand.  He  had  warm  sympathies  and  great  tender- 
ness of  feeling,  and  was  devoted  in  his  work.  He  spoke  the 
whole  truth  with  faithfulness  and  pungency,  not  fearing  the 
face  of  man.  Yet  his  fidelity  was  unmixed  with  harshness. 
The  love  of  souls  glowed  in  his  heart  and  the  law  of  kindness 
Avas  on  his  lips.  With  a  good  intellect  and  habits  of  study  his 
j)ublic  services  were  instructive  and  interesting." 

The  following  is  the  inscription  on  his  tomb :  "  Sacred  to  the 
memoiy  of  Rev.  Geoi'ge  Schenck,  born  January  27th,  183  6,  died 
July  7th,  1852.  He  was  pastor  of  this  church  eleven  years."  His 
health  had  been  enfeebled,  but  he  died  suddenly.  He  was  suc- 
ceeded by  Rev.  William  Brush  in  September,  1852,  who  served 


HISTORICAL   NOTES.  289 

the  congregation  thirteen  years  and  resigned  December,  I860. 
He  is  now  pastor  of  the  church  of  Fordham,  New-York.  Tlie  pre- 
sent pastor,  the  Rev.  Cliarles  H.  Pool,  was  installed  over  the 
congregation  in  July,  1860. 

In  connection  with  Bedminsler  it  is  natural  to  think  of  Rev. 
Robert  J.  Blair,  wlio  was  born  and  educated  within  the  precincts, 
of  the  congregation,  and  died  and  is  interred  in  the  graveyard  at- 
tached to  the  church.  He  was  the  son  of  John  J.  Blair,  Esq.,  of 
the  Cross  Roads,  and  born  December  8th,  1800.  Plis  classical 
learning  was  obtained  at  the  academy  near  the  church,  of  which 
he  was  principal  for  a  time.  He  taught  some  time  in  Accomac 
County,  Virginia,  on  the  eastern  shore  ;  studied  theology  in  the 
seminary  at  New-Brunswick,  and  was  licensed  by  the  Classis 
of  New-Brunswick,  in  1823.  He  served  as  a  domestic  mis- 
sionary until  1825  at  Princetown,  Guilderland,  and  Salem,  in 
Albany  County,  was  settled  in  Helderburgh  from  1825  to  1830. 
Plis  health  failed  him,  and  he  went  first  to  Georgia,  then  to  the 
Island  of  St.  Thomas,  West-Indies,  but  returned  to  his  native  place 
a  confirmed  invalid,  and  died  January  19th,  1858. 

"  He  is  remembered,"  writes  a  friend,  "  for  his  eminently  con- 
sistent life  as  a  Christian,  and  as  a  minister  of  Christ ;  for  the 
evangelical  character  of  his  preaching,  and  his  zeal.  Meek  and 
inoffensive  as  he  was,  few  men  have  been  more  faithful  in  the  dis- 
charge of  pastoral  duty,  preaching  the  Gos|)el  by  the  wayside, 
and  from  house  to  house.  Few  men  have  been  more  Avilling  to 
speak  to  their  fellow-men  for  their  good,  and  for  the  honor  of  the 
Master. 

"  It  pleased  God  that  he  should  glorify  him  by  patient  suffering, 
often  intense,  for  many  years.  But  few  of  his  friends  at  the  time 
of  his  death  ever  knew  him  as  a  well  man.  He  was  for  weeks  to- 
gether the  welcome  guest  of  many  families,  in  diff^erent  parts  of 
New-York  and  New-Jersey,  which  still  retain  the  sweet  savor  of  his 
godly  example  and  pious  conversation.  His  latter  yeai's  were 
spent  in  Bedminster,  where  he  finally  fell  asleep."  R.  D.  V.  K. 

The  writer  of  these  sketches  [(reached  his  funeral  sermon,  in  the 
village  of  Pluckemin  a^.  the  house  of  the  lady — a  cousin — who 
nursed  him  and  eared  for  him  until  he  died — from  2  Timothy  4  :  0,  7. 
On  his  tombstone  is  engraved,  "  Rev.  Robert  J.  Blair.  Died  Jan 
uary  19,  1858,  aged  61  years,  8  months,  and  11  days." 


290  HISTORICAL   NOTES. 

LEBANON— ROCKAW AY  IN  LEBANON. 

The  church  at  Lebanon  has  a  twofold  history — first  as  a 
German  Reformed,  and  second  as  a  Dutch  Reformed  Churcli. 
Originally  it  was  formed  out  of  German  emigrants,  who  are  said 
to  have  come  from  the  vicinity  of  Halberstadt,  in  Saxony.  They 
left  their  native  land  in  1705,  and  removed,  in  the  first  instance, 
to  Neuweid,  on  the  Rhine.  From  thence  they  came  to  Holland ; 
and  in  1707  sailed  for  America,  intending  to  land  at  New- Am- 
sterdam, or  New- York,  and  to  settle  among  the  Hollanders  either 
in  New- York  or  New-Jersej^  But  adverse  winds  finally  brought 
them  to  the  mouth  of  Delaware  Bay,  and  to  the  city  of  Philadel- 
phia. Fully  bent  still  on  their  original  purpose,  they  set  forth  to 
reach  their  intended  destination  by  land.  Traveling  up  through 
Pennsylvania,  they  crossed  the  Delawai'e  at  New-Hojje  and  Lam- 
bertsville,  and  by  "  the  old  York  road "  came  to  Ringoes,  in 
Hunterdon  County,  and  thence  to  Lebanon  Valley  and  German 
Valley.  Not  probably  all  at  the  same  time,  or  all  in  the  same 
company,  but  from  time  to  time,  others  following  on  in  the  foot- 
steps of  the  first  pioneers. 

The  first  unquestioned  documentary  notice  which  we  have  of  a 
colony  of  Germans  settled  in  that  part  of  our  State  is  from  the 
journal  of  the  Rev.  Michael  Schlatter,  a  missionary  sent  by  the 
Classis  of  Amsterdam  to  the  Germans  in  Pennsylvania.  Under  date 
July,  1747,  he  says,  "  When  I  had  safely  arrived  at  home  on  the 
3d,  I  found  a  very  earnest  and  moving  letter  written  by  several 
congregations  in  the  Province  of  New-Jersey,  viz.,  at  Rockaway, 
Fox-hill,  and  Amwell,  in  the  region  of  the  Raritan,  distant  about 
seventy  miles  from  Philadeljihia.  They  urge  me  with  the  strongest 
motives, — yea,  they  pray  me  _/br(rO(7's  sake,  to  come  over  and  paj'^ 
them  a  visit,  that  I  may  administer  to  them  the  Lord's  Supper, 
and  by  baptism  incorporate  tlieir  children  with  the  church,  who 
have  already  during  three  or  more  years  remained  without 
baptism." 

"  Mockaioag^''  mentioned  in  this  extract,  was  the  first  name  of 
what  is  now  "  the  Reformed  Church  of  Lebanon."  Amwell,  after 
having  been  sustained  as  a  German  Reformed  Church  for  seventy 
years,  became  a  Presbyterian  Chui-ch,  and  Dr.  Kirkpatrick  minis- 
tered in  it  half  a  century  and  more,  and  Fox-hill  is  now  the 
Presbyterian   Church  in   German    Valley,    unless,    perhaps,   we 


niSTORICAL    NOTES,  291 

should  say  it  is  a  church  of  the  Presbyterian  order  by  itself. 
Mr.  Schlatter  continues,  "On  the  13th,  I  undertook  tlie  journey  to 
the  three  congregations  in  New-Jersey,  from  which  I  liad,  on  the 
3d  of  July,  received  a  most  friendly  and  pressing  invitation  to 
meet  them.  On  the  14th,  after  a  journey  of  sixty  miles,  I  came  to 
Rockaway.  Here  I  received  twenty  young  persons  into  the  church 
as  members,  after  they  had  made  a  profession  of  their  faith; 
preached  a  preparatory  sermon  on  tlie  15th,  and  on  the  following 
day  administered  the  Holy  Supper  in  a  small  church  to  an  at- 
tentive and  reverent  assembly." 

He  went  next  day  to  Fox-hill  and  performed  the  same  services 
and  then  preached  what  he  calls  "a  thanksgiving  sermon  after 
the  communion."  On  the  20th  he  returned  to  his  home  in  Phila- 
delphia, "joyful  in  heart  and  giving  thanksgiving  to  God  for  the 
support  which  he  had  rendered  me."  He  adds,  "  I  can  not  re- 
frain from  referring,  briefly,  to  the  fact  that  these  three  congrei^^a- 
tions,  from  gratitude  for  the  services  I  liad  rendered  them,  handed 
me  a  pecuniary  reward  •  and  this  was  the  first  money  which, 
since  my  arrival  in  America  up  to  this  time,  I  have  received  from 
any  congregation  for  ray  labor  and  pains."  Certainly  it  is  well 
that  he  recorded  tliis  in  their  praise. 

We  have,  then,  this  important  guiding  historical  fact,  that  in 
1747  the  inhabitants  of  Lebanon  had  built  for  themselves  "a 
small  cliurch,"  in  Avhich  they  worshiped  the  God  of  their  fathers 
according  to  their  German  Protestant  faith.  Wliatever  previous 
members  there  may  have  been,  now  they  had  an  addition  of 
twenty  to  the  number.  This  house,  no  doubt,  stood  in  tlie  old 
burying-ground,  and  Avas  antecedent  to  the  old  Kockaway  Church, 
in  which  Caspar  Wack,  until  tlie  year  1809,  preached  and  admi- 
nistered the  Holy  Sacrament. 

INIichael  Schlatter,  the  first  missionary  to  the  Pennsylvania 
Germans,  was  born  at  St.  Gall,  in  Switzerland,  July  14tli,  1716. 
lie  received  a  portion  of  his  early  education  at  Helmstadt,  in  the 
Duchy  of  Brunswick,  but  was  fully  educated  and  admitted  into 
tlie  ministerial  oflice  in  Holland  about  I7l5.  He  was  soon  after 
commissioned  by  the  Synods  of  North  and^^Soutli-Holland  a 
missionary  to  the  Germans  in  Pennsylvania,  and  sailed  on  his 
mission  on  the  1st  of  June,  1746.  He  landed  at  Boston  earlv  in 
August,  went  thence  to  New- York,  and  thence  to  Pliiladelj)iiia. 
Boston  contained  at  that  time,  according  to  his  estimate,  about 


.   292  HISTORICAL   NOTES. 

3000  houses,  and  was  the  largest  city  in  the  colonies.  New- York 
had  only  about  2000.  Philadelphia  had  seven  streets  running 
north  and  south,  and  seven  running  eact  and  west,  and  about 
10,000  inhabitants,  and  was  the  second  city  in  the  English  posses- 
sions in  North- America. 

He  made  his  home  in  Philadelphia,  and  became  pastor  of  the 
German  Reformed  church  in  the  city,  in  connection  with  another 
at  Gei-mantown.  He  was,  however,  rather  a  traveling  missionary 
generally  among  the  Germans  in  Pennsylvania,  visiting  them  in 
their  towns,  and  organizing  churches  as  he  found  materials  in 
their  various  settlements.  He  is,  m^eed^th'  father  of  the  German 
Reformed  Church  in  the  United  States  of  our  day.  He  finally 
organized  the  churches  which  he  had  planted  into  a  Coe^ws,  and 
went  to  Holland  and  Germany  in  1V51,  and  secured  for  them 
£20,000  in  money  and  700  Bibles ;  and  £20,000  in  addition  were 
given  him  by  George  11.  of  England  and  his  nobility.  He  died  at 
Barren  Hill,  near  Philadelphia,  in  1790,  full  of  years  and  honors, 
a  good  man,  full  of  zeal  and  piety. 

Schlatter  visited  the  churches  in  New-Jersey  again  in  June, 
1788,  and  administered  the  Holy  Sacrament,  and  again  the  third 
time  on  the  11th  and  12th  of  October,  the  same  year,  and  still  a 
fourth  time  from  the  22d  to  the  27th  of  May,  1749,  and  a  filth 
and  last  time  in  June,  1750,  the  same  year  that  John  Frelinghuy- 
sen  came  to  settle  at  Raritan. 

None  of  the  churches  in  New- Jersey,  it  would  appear,  received 
any  part  of  the  monej^  which  was  brought  from  Europe  ;  for 
Schlatter  reported  that  they  were  "  able  themselves  to  provide 
properly  for  the  support  of  a  minister,  and  also  willing,  with 
great  cheerfulness^  to  do  it  ;"  and  added,  before  the  Synod  of 
Noi'th-Holland,  that  Fox-hill,  together  with  Rockaway,  "im- 
plores earnestly  that  God  may  at  length  send  forth  a  faithful 
laborer  into  this  harvest." 

This  prayer  was  soon  answered  in  the  coming  of  a  pastor.  The 
first  permanent  minister  of  the  Church  of  Rockaway,  in  connec- 
tion with  German  Valley,  was  John  Conrad  Wirtz.  He  was  a 
native  of  Switzerland,  born  in  Zurich.  He  had  emigrated  to 
Pennsylvania  before  Schlatter  came,  and  had  been  preaching  with- 
out ordination  somewhere  in  the  vicinity  of  Easton.  He  appealed 
to  Schlatter  to  ordain  him ;  but  failing  to  obtain  his  consent,  ap- 
plied to  the  Presbytery  of  New-Brunswick,  and  was  ordained  by 


mSTORICAL   NOTES.  293 

tliem  in  1752.  lie  had  been  preaching  in  the  cliurehes  of  Kocka- 
way  and  German  Valley  two  years  before  he  was  in  this  way 
admitted  to  the  pastoral  office.  His  memory  has  passed  away 
almost  completely  from  the  present  living,  and  the  only  tradition 
that  has  been  given  of  hira  is  in  reference  to  his  having  preached 
at  Rockaway  that  "  marriage  Avas  a  sacrament,^''  in  the  sense  of 
the  Romish  Church,  a  doctrine  not  received  by  the  peoi^le. 

In  1762,  after  ministering  to  the  churches  of  Rockaway  and 
German  A'allcy  for  twelve  years,  he  removed  to  York,  in  Pennsyl- 
vania. There  his  name  is  remembered,  and  "  has  the  savor  of 
his  having  been  a  good  and  pious  minister." 

In  tlie  mean  time,  Rev.  William  Kails,  who  had  been  set- 
tled in  Piiihidelphia,  and  had  supplied  Amwell  from  1757  to 
1759,  seems  to  have  preached  occasionally,  at  least  in  the 
Rockaway  Church.  Then  came  Caspar  Michael  Stapel;  then 
John  Westley  Gilbert  Nevelling,  also  from  Amwell,  gave  an 
occasional  service  to  the  destitute  chiirch  ;  then  Frederick  Dalli- 
\iv.v  had  Lebanon  in  connection  with  German  Valley,  Alexander, 
and  Foxenburg,  (Foxhill.)  His  services  extended  from  1770  to 
1782.  In  1782,  Caspar  Wack  entered  upon  the  i:)astoral  charge 
of  Rockaway,  in  connection  with  German  Valley  and  Foxhill,  and 
served  these  three  churches  until  the  year  1 809,  when  he  removed 
to  Whitemarsh,  Pa.,  where  he  died  in  1839.  He  was  a  native- 
born  American.  His  father  emigrated  from  AVittenberg,  Ger- 
many, to  Philadelphia  in  1748.  Caspar  Wack  was  born  August 
15th,  1752,  and  studied  under  Dr.  Weybergh.  He  is  rej)resented 
as  displaying  in  eai'ly  life  remarkable  talents,  and  as  liaving  had 
"  numerous"  calls  ottered  to  him  for  his  services  when  he  was 
only  eighteen  years  of  age.  His  licensure  was  deferred  to  obtain 
the  consent  of  the  classis  in  Holland,  to  which  all  the  German 
churches  acknowledged  subjection.  He  was  invited  to  come  over 
to  Holland,  and  promised  a  free  passage,  but  he  declined  to  at- 
tempt this.  In  1771,  Avhcn  he  was  nineteen  years  of  age,  he  was 
examined  and  licensed  as  a  candidate  by  the  Coctus,  as  is  evident 
from  the  following  minute  :  "  Mr.  Wack  was  examined  in  the 
truths  of  God's  Avord  and  as  to  the  way  of  salvation,  and,  having 
rendered  full  satisfaction  to  the  reverend  Coetus,  it  was  resolved 
that  he  should  continue  to  catechise  and  pi-each  in  these  congrega- 
tions [Tohicken,  Indianfield,  and  Great  Swamp,]  as  heretofore.. 
His  ordination,  however,  shall  be  deferred,  for  the  present,  till 
the  reverend  fatliers  [the  classis]  have  been  consulted  in  regai^d 
19 


29-i  HISTORICAL   NOTES. 

to  the  matter,  and  what  they  advise  shall  hereafter  be  done  in 
regard  to  Mr.  Wack."  This  permission  was  soon  afterw^ard  re- 
ceived, and,  altliongh  the  date  of  his  ordination  is  not  knowni,  it 
took  place,  no  doubt,  soon  after  this  date.  He  was  the  first  young 
man  of  American  birth  who  received  license  and  ordination  in 
the  German  Reformed  Church  in  America.  He  seems  to  have 
labored  at  Rockaway  from  1782  to  1*789.  A  call  is  extant  ad- 
dressed to  him  as  "  present  preacher  of  the  Valley  and  Foxhill," 
dated  1786.  He  is  represented  as  a  man  of  great  activity,  wit, 
and  resources,  preaching  in  his  early  days  entirely  in  German, 
but  in  time  coming  into  the  use  of  the  English  in  his  public  ser- 
vices. What  kind  of  English  it  really  was  may,  perhaps,  be  suffi- 
ciently learned  from  a  remark  of  an  English  officer  w^ho  went  to 
hear  him,  and  came  home  very  well  pleased,  saying  he  never 
knew  before  that  the  German  language  was  so  much  like  the 
English.  He  was,  in  fact,  farmer,  music-master,  and  i^reacher,  all 
in  one,  and  the  young  people  enjoyed  his  evening  singing-schools 
greatly.  He  left  behind  him  a  name  fragrant  wnth  many  genial, 
kindly,  pleasant,  and  holy  memories.  He  went,  in  1809,  to  the 
churches  of  Whitemarsh  and  Germantowai,  in  Pennsylvania,  and 
died  there  at  the  house  of  his  son,  Dr.  Philip  Wack,  July  19th, 
1839,  being  eighty-seven  years  old,  lacking  seven  days. 

We  have  had  furnished  to  us  a  copy  of  the  inscription  on  his 
tomb.  It  is  in  the  following  words  :  "  The  Rev.  Caspar  Wack, 
^vho  departed  this  life  the  19th  July,  a.d.  1839,  aged  eighty-seven 
years." 

The  register  of  baptisms  for  the  Rockaway  cluirch  is  dated,  on 
1768,  the  title-page,  August  5th.  1 762.  The  first  entry  is  November 
6th,  and  it  is  continued  in  the  same  handwriting  until  September 
27th,  1784.  Some  of  the  first  records  seem  to  be  wanting.  On 
November  6th,  1768,  Peter  Ebcher  and  Cathrine  his  wife  had  a 
•dhild  named  Johannis  baptized.  The  next  names  are  Hanis 
Rothenbach  and  Anna  Bikel,  August  27th ;  the  next,  Pieter 
Bothersfield  and  his  wife  Cathrine ;  then  Pieter  Hofman  and 
Anna  Sharpenstein ;  then  occur  the  names  of  Conrad  Kreuger, 
Peter  Ops,  Adam  Hochenbach,  William  Becker,  Adam  Humer, 
Nicholas  Liiienburgh,  Balthes  Henderschot,  Adam  Epcher,  Cor- 
iielis  Lair,  Peter  Law,  Christian  Diltz,  Wilem  Schurz,  Arian 
Deneik,  Nicolas  Kramer,  Hanes  Ohlbach,  Michel  Schenk,  and 
Wilem  Eich.  These  names  represent  some  of  the  earliest  families 
belonging  to   this   church.     The  record,  after  it  commences,  is, 


HISTORICAL   NOTES.  295 

apparently,  quite  complete,  and  manifests  botli  attention  and 
care.  In  subsequent  pages  we  should,  no  doubt,  find  all  the 
names  peculiar  to  this  part  of  our  State,  but  we  can  not  continue 
the  quotation,  and  proceed  to  note  some  of  its  subsequent  for- 
tunes. It  was,  in  some  measure,  isolated  by  its  language  and 
lineage,  and  a  change  in  its  relations  became  imperious.  It  felt 
this,  and  soon  sought  it. 

September  11th,  l788,  the  church  became  incorpoi'ated  under 
an  act  of  the  Legislature,  and  the  names  of  the  trustees  are. as 
follows,  namely,  George  Gearheart,  president,  Peter  Aller,  Jacob 
Gearhart,  John  Hufman,  Peter  Ilimry,  Peter  Young,  and  Hans 
Peter  Apger.  The  elections  are  regularly  recorded  in  subsequent 
years,  for  a  long  period  of  time. 

In  l793,  moneys  were  collected  on  a  subscription  list  to  rejiair 
the  church  edifice.  There  is  also,  subsequently,  another  subscrip- 
tion list  put  on  record  of  names  giving  various  sums  for  the  same 
purpose,  among  which  occurs,  at  the  head  of  the  list,  the  name 
of  Caspar  Wack  for  $13.33.  In  181G,  the  old  church  was  taken 
down,  and  a  new  brick  house  erected  in  its  place.  This  was 
superseded  by  the  present  commodious  edifice. 

After  Lebanon  became  a  vacant  church  by  the  removal  of  Mr. 
Wack,  supplies  from  the  German  source  began  to  be  increasingly 
difiicult  of  attainment.  The  church  stood  there  many  Sabbaths 
in  its  silent  loneliness.  The  German,  as  a  language,  had  passed 
away  almost  entirely  from  among  the  people,  and  the  question 
arose,  why  not  seek  another  connection,  and  obtain  preaching 
from  another  source?  The  White  lloues  church  was  new  and 
comparatively  weak,  struggling  to  maintain  itself  under  the  minis- 
try of  its  first  pastor,  Cornelius  T.  Ut'inarest.  Overtures  of  union 
were  made  and  accicpted  in  1813  ;  but  just  before  the  union  had 
been  consummated,  Mr.  Demarest  left,  and  accepted  a  call  from 
the  English  Neighborhood,  Bergen  County.  Ilis  absence,  how- 
ever, did  not  prevent  the  future  consummation  of  the  contem- 
plated union.  The  two  congregations  united,  September  29th, 
1816,  in  a  call  on  tlie  candidate  Jacob  J.  Schultz,  and  he  was  or- 
dained and  installed  i)astor,  November  26th,  1816,  of  the  two 
combined  churches.  He  decided  to  make  Lebanon  the  place  of 
his  residence,  and,  consequently,  it  was  to  the  Lebanon  church 
tl'.at  the  larger  part  of  his  ]):istoral  services  were  rendered,  but  he 
luvached  on  alternate  Sabbaihs  in  either  place.     Here  he  spent 


296  HISTORICAL   NOTES. 

eighteen  years  of  liis  earlier  life,  beloved,  useful,  and  doing  an 
efficient  work.  A  new  church  was  built  soon  after  he  came  ;  the 
people  were  carefully  catechized  and  taught,  and  sought  to  be 
trained  effectually  in  every  Christian  duty.  Few  men  labored 
more  diligently  and  successfully,  and  saw  better  results  from 
their  labors,  than  he  did  at  White  House  and  Lebanon. 

Jacob  J.  Shultz  was  born  at  Rhinebeck,  1*792,  of  parents  who 
had  originally  emigrated  from  the  Palatinate.  He  graduated  at 
Union  College,  1813,  and  from  the  seminary  at  New-Brunswick 
in  1816,  being  licensed  as  a  candidate,  by  the  Classis  of  New- 
Brunswick,  in  May.  In  the  autumn  of  the  same  year  he  received 
a  call  from  the  churches  of  White  House  and  Lebanon,  and  was 
settled  there.  His  intellectual  faculties  were  good.  He  had  evi- 
dently a  consciousness  of  power  in  him,  and  spoke  with  dignity 
and  authority.  He  was  an  effective  preacher,  never  using  notes 
or  reading  his  sermons  from  manusci'ipt.  He  studied  his  text, 
analyzed  it,  broke  it  up  into  its  logical  divisions,  and  then  he  dis- 
cussed them,  trusting  for  the  proper  words  to  flow  in  upon  him 
from  the  impulse  of  the  moment.  He  pj-eached  well ;  intelligent 
minds  felt  themselves  instructed  and  edified  by  his  discourses. 
He  gathered  large  audiences  in  his  churches — probably  the  largest 
ever  convened  in  them;  he  did  good.  The  accessions  to  the 
churches  were  numerous,  and  he  was  literally  and  truly  a  pros- 
perous and  successful  minister.  But  disease  had  begun  early  to 
prey  upon  his  system ;  he  had  turns  of  melancholy ;  he  lost,  at 
times,  almost  the  control  of  his  faculties.  He  went  to  Middle- 
bush.  The  change  did  not  boiefit  him.  He  grew  worse,  and  had 
to  abandon  what  he  loved  as  his  life,  the  preaching  of  the  Gos- 
pel. He  died  at  Middlebush,  October  22d,  1852.  He  had  been 
disabled  from  public  service  since  1838  by  constitutional  infirmi- 
ties and  disease. . 

The  memory  of  Jacob  J.  Shultz  at  Lebanon  and  at  Whitehouse 
will  long  be  cherished  by  those  to  whom  his  ministry  was  blessed. 
He  was  an  earnest  man ;  he  did  his  work  in  the  spirit  of  his  Mas- 
ter, and  gained  many  converts  to  the  truth. 

After  Shultz  had  left  Lebanon  the  connection  with  AVhitehouse 
ceased,  and  in  1835  the  church  called  Rev.  Charles  R  Wack,  a 
orandson  of  Rev.  Conrad  Wack,  to  be  their  pastor.  He  com- 
menced his  services  May  18th;  his  first  record  of  baptism  is  Sep- 
tember 28th,  1835.  He  continued  to  serve  them  for  five  years; 
then  went  to  Trenton,  for  four  years,  to  a  German  Reformed 


HISTORICAL   NOTES.  297 

churcli,  wliich  he  induced  to  unite  with  the  Chassis  of  New- 
Brunswick.  Then  he  himself  j^assed  over  into  a  connection  with 
the  German  Reformed  Church,  but  finally  returned  to  Lebanon 
and  died  September  29th,  1866.  He  was  a  student  of  the  semi- 
nary at  New-Brunswick,  and  received  his  license  in  1829.  He 
was  a  good  preacher  and  a  man  of  considerable  learning.  He 
understood  the  Gospel,  and  preached  it  with  discrimination  and 
clearness  ;  but  certain  eccentricities  of  cliaracter  hindered  his  suc- 
cess as  a  pastor.  That  he  was  a  good  man  no  one  doubted  who 
really  knew  liim;  and  that,  with  a  little  more  of  "the  wisdom  of 
the  serpent,"  he  might  liave  done  great  good,  was  equally  clear. 
He  was  an  able  man  in  the  pulpit,  and  when  he  preached  he 
knew  only  Christ  Jesus  and  him  crucified.  The  inscription  on 
his  tomb  reads,  "Rev.  Charles  P.  Wack.  Died  September  29th, 
1866,  aged  fifty-nine  years  two  months  and  twenty-one  days. 

"  Suddenly  liis  work  was  closed  ; 

'Twas  sufficient  here. 
He  was  summoned  to  a  service 

In  a  liitjlier  sphere, 
And  the  pearly  gates  unfolded 

To  admit  him  there." 

Lebanon  was  served  by  Rev.  Robert  Van  Amburgh  from  1840 
to  1848  ;  by  Rev.  John  Steele  from  1848  to  1858  ;  by  Van  Am- 
burgh, the  second  time,  from  1853  to  18G9,  and  by  Van  Benscho- 
ten,  from  1S69  to  1872. 

The  congregation  have  recently  repaired  their  cluireh  edifice — 
originally  built  in  1854 — and  beautified  it.  It  is  now  one  of  the 
most  attractive  and  commodious  churches  in  the  county.  There 
is  a  large  and  wealthy  congregation  worshiping  in  it,  and  it 
ought  to  pros2)er  abundantly. 


WHITE  HOUSE,  ROCKAWAY. 

The  churcli  Avas  originally  formed  out  of  persons  who  had 
been  comiected  with  Readington,  with  a  few  families  from  Bed- 
minster,  a  few  from  the  Presbyterian  church  at  Leamington,  and 
also  a  few  from  the  Lutlieran  church  at  NewGevmantown.  It  is 
first  spoken  of  in  the  minutes  of  Synod  in  1793  as  a  place  in 
which  religious  services  were  rendered,  and  called   Potterstown. 


298  HISTORICAL   NOTES, 

John  Dili- vea  rendered  a  part  service"  tliere,  from"  1800  to  1801, 
preaching  in  the  barn  of  Abraham  Van  Horn.  John  Schureman 
attended  a  cateclietical  class  within  the  bounds  of  the  cono-reffa- 
tion  while  he  was  at  Bedminster.  The  church  at  White  House  was 
formally  organized  in  1792,  as  becomes  evident  from  the  following 
extract  from  the  minutes  of  consistory:  January  10th,  1792.  The 
committee  from  the  Rev.  Classis  met  at  the  house  of  Mr.  Abraham 
Van  Hoi-n,  together  with  the  members  in  full  communion  of  the 
neighborhood  of  tlie  White  House,  and,  being  opened  with  prayer 
by  the  Rev.  John  Duryea,  proceeded  to  the  choice  of  a  consistory, 
Avhen  the  following  persons  were  chosen,  namely,  Cornelius  Wyc- 
kofF  and  Aaron  Jjane  as  elders,  and  Henry  Traphagen  and  George 
Covenhoven  as  deacons.  Concluded  with  prayer  by  the  Rev. 
John  M.  Van  Harlingen. 

In  consistory  at  the  house  of  Cornelius  WyckofF  the  following 
persons  were  received,  on  confession  of  their  faith,  as  members  of 
the  congregation,  namely,  Abraham  Van  Horn,  Matthew  Lane, 
John  Wyckoff,  Cornelius  Wyckoff,  Jr.,  Garthy  Wyckoff,  wife  of 
Abraham  Van  Horn,  Cathrine  Sutten,  wife  of  John  WyckoiF, 
Altie  Cowenhoven,  wife  of  Matthew  Lane.  Concluded  with  prayer. 
— John  Duryea.     These  were  the  first  members  in  communion. 

September  8th,  1795,  the  following  were  elected  elders  and 
deacons  in  the  place  of  those  first  chosen,  namely,  George  Cowen- 
hoven and  John  Wyckofli",  elders,  and  Abraham  Van  Horn  and 
Cornelius  WyckoiF,  deacons.  Concluded  with  prayer. — John 
Duryea,  V.D.M. 

January  19th,  1796,  received  on  confession  of  their  faith,  Wil- 
liam Van  Horn  and  Cornelia   Wyckoff. 

March  15th,  1796,  received  on  confession,  Lidia  Burnet,  wife  of 
George  Covenhoven,  Elizabeth  Van  Horn,  wife  of  AVilliam  Van 
Horn. 

May  inth,  1800,  Abraham  Ten  Eyck  and  the  following  elected  in 
consistory,  namely,  Abraham  Van  Horn  and  Abraham  VanDoren, 
elders  ;  Mattliew  Lane  and  William  Van  Plorn,  deacons.  Closed 
witli  prayer. — John  Duryea,  V.D.M. 

A|)ril  2d,  1802,  tlie  following  were  chosen  for  consistory:  Cor- 
nelius Wyckoff  and  Abraham  Van  Horn,  elders ;  Abraham  Ten 
Eyck,  deacon  ;  and  they  were  ordained  June  27tli,  1802,  by  Rev. 
James  S.  Cannon. 

There  were  meetings  of  consistory  August  25th,  1804,  presided 


HISTORICAL   NOTES.  299 

over  by  Rev.  William  li.  Smith;  August  31st,  1805,  and  August 
20tli,  1808,  by  John  S,  Vredenburgh ;  October  14th,  180G,  by  Ira 
Condit ;  and  July  8th,  1808,  by  James  S.  Cannon. 

At  length  the  church  had  so  increased  that  they  proceeded  to 
settle  a  pastor,  and  the  choice  fell  upon  Cornelius  T.  Demarest,  a 
student  of  Dr.  Froeligh,  but  a  native  of  the  city  of  New- York. 
The  call  is  dated  August  2d,  1808,  and  he  was  ordained  and  in- 
stalled pastor  by  Rev.  John  S.  Vredenburgh,  Rev.  Henry  Pol- 
hemus,  and  "Rev.  Peter  Studdeford. 

The  principal  families  besides  the  names  already  mentioned 
were,  Dennis  Wyckofl",  Nicholas  Stilwell,  Abraham  Ten  Eyck, 
Andrew  Ten  Eyck,  Cornelius  Messier,  .John  Ditmars,  William 
Ditmars,  Jacob  Neff,  Matthew  Rulofson,  .John  Vanderbilt,  Jolm 
Roger,  and  others. 

In  1807,  a  church  edifice  was  erected  and  partly  finished — that 
is,  it  had  a  roof,  weather-boarding,  and  floor,  but  neither  pews, 
pulpit,  or  ceiling.  The  seats  consisted  of  boards  resting  on 
timbers  on  the  floor.  In  this  condition  C.  T.  Demarest  preached 
in  it  for  several  years.  He  was  the  flrst  pastor.  He  came  to  White 
House  immediately  on  receiving  his  license,  and  continued  for 
five  years.  It  may  be  said  that  he  really  gathered  and  established 
the  church.  He  was  admired  as  a  preacher,  and  extensively 
popular — a  faithful,  earnest,  zealous  man;  and  he  did  a  great 
deal  of  good  during  the  time  that  he  labored  among  the  people.  He 
preached  the  Gospel  with  discrimination,  perhaps  rather  in  a  con- 
troversial strain  and  spirit;  at  all  events,  he  was  fond  of  debate, 
and  sometimes  dealt  with  his  adversary  with  marked  severity. 
It  may  have  been  necessary  in  his  estimation  to  adopt  such  a 
strain  of  preaching,  since  the  materials  out  of  which  the  church 
had  Ijeen  formed  were  a  little  heterogeneous  in  their  character. 
He  was  himself  a  rigid  Calvinist,  and  could  not  endure  lax  views 
in  any  form.  He  left  the  church  Avith  almost  universal  regret, 
and  was  remembered  by  many  with  all  the  fondness  of  first 
love. 

The  church  remained  vacant  for  more  than  two  years,  and 
finally  called  the  candidate  Jacob  J.  Schultz,  in  connection  with 
Lebanon.  After  Schultz  left,  in  1834,  Peter  S.  Williamson,  a 
student  just  licensed  from  the  seminary,  Avas  called.  He  accepted, 
and  was  ordained  and  installed  in  1835,  and  continued  to  preach 
for  the  people  four  years,  resigning  in  1849,  and  becoming  a  mis- 


300  HISTORICAL    NOTES 

sionary  in  Brooklyn ;  then  teaching  at  Schoharie,  Belleville,  and 
Jamaica,  Long  Island,  and  finally  emigrating  to  California  in 
1852,  where  he  still  resides. 

After  Rev.  P.  S.  Williamson  had  resigned,  Rev.  James  Otter- 
son  accepted  the  call  and  ministered  to  the  people  for  five  years, 
when  he  resigned  and  went  to  the  Presbyterian  church  at  Johns- 
town, New-York.  His  ministry  was  vigorous,  and  resulted  in 
good.  He  was  born  in  the  city  of  New- York,  1791,  graduated  at 
Columbia  College,  1806;  studied  theology  with  Dr.  John  M. 
Mason,  and  was  licensed  by  the  Associate  Reform  Church  in 
1821.  He  was  of  Scotch  parentage,  and  had  most  of  its  peculiari- 
ties. He  succeeded  Dr.  Alexander  Proudfit  in  the  church  of  Broad 
Albin.  He  came  into  the  Dutch  Church  at  first  by  a  call  from 
the  churches  of  Oyster  Bay  and  North-Hempstead,  Long  Island, 
in  1829,  and  to  White  House  from  Freehold,  New-Jersey,  where 
he  had  been  settled  three  years.  It  is  said  of  him,  "  he  jDossessed 
a  clear  and  analytic  mind,  -svhich  showed  the  eiFect  of  early 
culture.  He  w^as  a  good  scholar,  a  sound  and  able  theologian, 
and  very  instructive  and  edifying  as  a  preacher.  His  style  of 
sermonizing  was  clear  and  forcible.  His  speech  flowerl  smoothly 
from  his  lips,  as  he  touched  the  heart  and  reached  the  conscience. 
He  was  an  able  expounder  of  the  divine  word.  In  the  ecclesias- 
tical assemblies  of  the  church  he  had  few  superiors.  It  was 
not  merely  as  a  parliamentarian,  or  as  one  skilled  in  debnte,  that 
he  excelled,  but  as  possessing  a  strong  practical  mind  that  could 
lead  the  way  through  difiicult  and  perplexing  questions ;  that 
could  see  the  end  to  be  reached,  and  how  to  reach  it."  He  died 
in  the  city  of  Brooklyn  in  1869. 

Goyn  Talmage,  just  from  the  seminary,  was  called  in  1845, 
and  ordained  and  installed  as  successor  to  Otterson.  He  did  a 
grand  work  at  White  House.  The  church  had  run  down,  needed 
repairs — in  fact,  removal  and  a  new  edifice  ;  and  he  accomplished 
this  important  work  successfully.  Under  his  active  ministry,  the 
church  waked  up,  and  did  more  to  secure  future  prosperity  than 
had  been  done  at  any  time  before.  But  he  left,  after  six  years,  to 
the  regret  of  all  his  friends. 

He  was  succeeded  by  Lawrence  L.  Comfort,  also  a  student 
from  the  seminary  at  Ne \v -Brunswick;  and  was  ordained  and 
installed  in  1852,  but  only  remained  for  two  years,  when  he  was 
called  to  New-Hurley,  New-York,  where  he  is  still  ministering. 


HISTORICAL    NOTES.  301 

Then  tlie  cliurch  called  Rev.  Aaron  Lloyd,  in  1855  ;  and  he 
remained  only  one  year,  when  he  went  to  Pekin,  Illinois. 

The  next  pastor  was  Kev.  Smith  Stnrges,  who  preached  at 
White  Ilonse  until  1867,  and  resigned. 

The  Kev.  Williani  Bailey  was  called  in  1808,  and  remains  tlie 
successful  pastor.  The  congregation  under  his  ministry  is  grow- 
ing, and  promising  to  become  a  compact,  energetic,  and  respec- 
table church. 

White  House  is  not  in  Somei'set  County,  nor  is  Lebanon  ;  and 
yet  they  have  both  always  been  so  intimately  connected  with  the 
chiirches  of  the  county,  that  we  did  not  feelinclined  to  disassociate 
them.  Hence,  they  liave  a  place  in  these  notes  of  the  Somerset 
churches.  They  are  one  with  us  in  spirit,  if  not  absolutely  within 
the  limits  of  the  territory  of  the  county.  They  have  been  so 
long  associated  witli  the  other  churches  that  it  would  seem,  in 
some  respects,  invidious  to  deny  'them  a  place  in  our  memo- 
rial. 

It  only  remains  for  us  now  to  name  the  other  churches  in  the 
order  in  which  their  organization  has  been  effected.  They  have 
grown, 'in  almost  every  instance,  out  of  the  territory  first  included 
in  the  older  congregations,  and  owe  their  existence  to  the  desire 
of  the  people  to  have  the  services  of  the  Sabbath  nearer  to  their 
residences,  and  to  be  able  more  conveniently  to  attend  on  them. 
They  have  been  from  the  beginning,  in  nearly  every  instance, 
self-sustaining  churches.  Hence,  they  came  into  existence  because 
it  was  proper  for  them  to  do  so,  and  not  from  disaffection  or 
partisan  strife. 


THE  RECENTLY-rOR^MED  CHURCHES. 

The  new  churches  in  Somerset  County  can  hardly  be  said  to 
have  a  history,  and  yet  we  are  not  disposed  to  deny  them  a  place 
in  our  memorial  notes.  We  give  to  each  at  least  the  date  of  its 
organization  and  the  succession  of  pastors,  in  the  order  in  -which 
these  events  have  occurred  and  are  recorded  in  their  records. 


302  HISTORICAL   NOTES. 

1.  North-Branch. — This  church  was  organized  September  10th, 

1825,  at  tlie  liouse  of  James  Ten  Eyck,  by  a  committee  from  the 
Classis  of  New-Brunswick,  out  of  families  mostly  belonging  to  the 
old  church  of  Raritan.  During  the  great  revival  in  1821  and  1822, 
religious  services  had  been  frequently  held  in  the  vicinity  of  Bay- 
ley's  Mills,  on  the  North-Branch.  One  large  concourse,  consist- 
ing of  more  than  1000  people,  is  especially  remembered  in  the 
barn  of  Mr.  Abraham  Dumont,  at  which  Rev.  Messrs.  Schultz^ 
Fisher,  Studdiford,  and  Osborne  were  all  present,  and  took  part 
in  the  services.  The  great  awakening  of  attention  to  religion,  no 
doubt,  occasioned  the  want  of  church  services  to  be  felt  in  that 
vicinity,  and  brought  about  the  organization  of  the  church,  after 
an  application  duly  made  to  the  Classis  of  New-Brunswick,  and 
at  once  a  church  edifice  was  begun  to  be  built.  George  H.  Fisher, 
a  licentiate  of  the  Seminary,  was  called  and  settled  November  25t]i, 

1826,  as  soon  as  the  church  edifice,  finished  that  year,  was  pre- 
pared for  the  services.  He  preached  to  the  people  during  four 
years'  labor,  and  proved  himself  a  successful  pastor.  Upon  his 
removal,  the  Rev.  Abraham  D.  Wilson  was  called,  September  l7th, 
1831,  and  remained  until  1838.  He  was  succeeded  in  October  of 
the  same  year  by  Rev.  James  K.  Campbell,  who  ministered  until 
1854,  more  than  15  years.  In  1856,  Pliilip  Melancthon  Doolittle 
was  settled,  and  still  continues  the  successful  pastor  of  a  prospe- 
rous church. 

The  first  consistory  was  composed  of  Jacob  Ten  Eyck,  John 
Vanderveer,  John  Runk,  and  Abraham  Quick,  Sen.,  as  elders,  and 
Ralf  Van  Pelt,  Matthew  Van  Pelt,  James  Staats,  and  James  Ten 
Eyck,  deacons. 

The  first  church  edifice  u'as  built  in  1S26,  the  year  after  the 
organizat  ion  was  effected.  It  was  built  of  brick,  after  the  pattern 
of  the  Sonierville  Church,  and  in  dimension  was  40  feet  by  52. 
The  corner-stone  was  laid  witliout  ceremonies,  and  whether  it  was 
ever  formally  dedicated  is  not  known.  It  stood,  and  continued  to 
be  the  place  of  worship  until  1863,  when  it  was  taken  down  and 
gave  place  to  the  present  commodious  edifice.  The  resolution  to 
rebuild  was  passed  August  20th,  1863,  and  it  was  dedicated  by  a 
sermon  from  Rev.  G.  H.  Fisher,  the  first  pastor,  1864.  The  congre- 
gation, during  the  forty-seven  years  of  its  existence,  has  increased, 
until  it  is  now  an  efficient  church.     It  is  remarkable  that  all  its 


n[STORICAL   NOTES.  303 

pastors  are  yet  among  the  living.  It  numbers  116  families  and 
170  communicants. 

2.  BlawenbuPvG. — The  first  movement  toward  the  organiza- 
tion of  this  church  took  ^^lace  October  1st,  1829,  when  Cornelius 
Kershow,  Peter  Voorhees,  Half  Johnson,  and  John  A.  Voorhees 
appeared  before  the  Consistory  of  Harlingen,  in  behalf  of  them- 
selves and  fifty  subscribers  in  the  district  of  Blawenburg,  and 
a})])lied  to  the  consistory  for  permission  to  erect  a  house  for 
public  worship,  to  be  styled  the  Second  Reformed  Dutch  Church 
of  Harlingen,  This  application  was  cheerfully  granted.  At  a 
subsequent  meeting,  in  JSTovember,  the  following  building  com- 
mittee was  appointed,  namely,  Peter  A.  Voorhees,  Colonel  Jose])h 
Duryea,  Half  .Johnson,  John  A.  Voorhees,  and  John  Van  Zandt. 
On  the  31st  of  May,  1S30,  they  reported  that  their  house  of  wor- 
ship was  so  nearly  completed  as  to  be  ready  for  dedication  at  any 
time.  It  was  resolved'to  invite  Rev.  Dr.  Milledoler,  of  the  Theo- 
logical Seminary  at  New-Brunswick,  to  perform  that  service  on 
Saturday,  the  14t]i  inst.  The  invitation  was  accejjted,  and  on  the 
day  appointed,  after  sermon,  he  solemidy  set  apart  tlie  house  to 
the  service  of  Almighty  God,  Father,  Son,  and  Holy  Ghost. 

February  2d,  1832,  upon  application  of  tlie  people  worshiping 
in  the  above  congregation,  to  be  organized  into  a  separate  and 
distinct  clam'ch,  and  to  be  discharged  from  their  relation  to  the 
cluirch  at  Harlingen,  the  pastor.  Rev.  Peter  Labagh,  and  Peter 
Skillman  were  appointed  a  committee  to  grant  dismissions  .to 
those  who  might  apply.  On  the  2d  of  JMarch,  1832,  a  nundjer  of 
the  male  members  with  tlieir  certificates  assembled,  according  to 
previous  notice,  in  tlie  clnircli  at  Blawenburg,  aud  after  earnest 
supplication  for  the  Divine  jjresence  and  blessing,  a  separate  and 
distinct  church  was  regularly  organized,  a  consistory  chosen,  and 
arrangements  made  for  their  ordination.  At  this  meeting  the 
Rev.  Peter  Labagh  and  the  elder  Abraliam  Skillman  acted  as  a 
committee  from  the  consistory  of  Harlingen  ;  and  Beruardus  Van 
Zandt,  William  Duryea,  Abram  Sutphin,  George  Sorter,  Samuel 
Terhune,  Thomas  Davis,  Cort  Williamson,  Henry  Terhune,  Josepli 
A.  Skilhnan,  Henry  Skillman,  Jolm  Van  Zandt,  William  D.  Y-au 
Dyke,  Peter  Sutphin,  Peter  Voorliees,  represented  the  people  of 
Blawenburg.  The  consistory  elected  consisted  of  Henry  Skdl- 
man,  Joliii  Van  Zandt,  William  Crusei",  and  Jose])h  iV.  Skillman, 


.  304  HISTORICAL   NOTES. 

elders,  and-  Henry  Duryea,  Peter  Voorliees,  Thomas  Davis,  and 
Samuel  Terhnne,  deacons. 

The  earliest  records  ai-e  dated  July  26th,  1831,  and  sj^eak  of 
the  consistory  of  the  Second  Church  of  Harlingen  meeting  in  the 
consistory  chamber  at  Blawenburg,  and  of  the  corporate  name 
of  the  church  being  changed  to  be  the  Reformed  Dutch  Church 
of  Blawenburg. 

The  Rev.  Henry  Heermance  was  the  first  pastor.  He  was  called 
in  1832,  and  served  the  people  three  years.  He  was  succeeded 
by  Rev.  James  R.  Talmage  in  183.7,  who  remained  until  1849. 
The  same  year,  T.  B.  Romeyn  was  called  and  ordained,  and  served 
until  1865.  He  was  succeeded  by  Charles  W.  Fi-itts  the  same 
year,  and  he  in  ISVO  by  W.  B.  Voorliees. 

Of  Henry  Heermance,  who  has  ceased  from  among  the  liv- 
ing, we  may  say  a  very  few  words.  He  Avas  born  at  Nassau, 
N.  Y.,  1801,  graduated  at  Union  College  in  1826,  studied  in  the 
Seminary  at  New-Brunswick,  and  was  licensed  by  the  classis  in 
1826.  After  a  short  settlement  at  Oyster  Bay,  Long  Island,  and 
a  missionary  term  of  service  at  Sandbeach,  N.  Y.,  he  came  to 
Blawenburg  and  served  faithfully  for  three  years.  Preaching 
afterward  for  a  year  in  1855-6  at  Kinderhook,  he  died  in  1846. 
He  was  the  subject  of  religious  im2:)ressions  during  a  revival  in 
Nassau,  N".  Y.,  and  retained  ever  afterward  more  or  less  of 
a  revival  spirit.  It  has  been  written  of  him  tliat  "  he  had  a  com- 
prehensive and  well-balanced  judgment  up  to  the  point  where 
feeling  becomes  enlisted,  when  his  honest  ardor  somewhat  blinded 
liim  to  remote  results.  His  sensibilities  were  unusually  keen,  but 
they  never  prompted  retaliation,  nor  liad  they  any  tincture  of  resent- 
ment. His  energy  was  great,  and  his  purpose  indomitable.  Hence, 
when  his  sphere  of  action  was  limited,  and  his  mode  of  action  de- 
fined, as  was  the  case  with  his  agencies,  his  executive  efficiency 
was  of  the  very  highest  order.  As  a  preacher,  he  was  solemn, 
atrectionate,  earnest,  pungent,  and  lucid.  His  style  was  senten- 
tious, and  his  appeals  direct  and  forcible.  His  general  mode  of 
preaching  was  to  arouse  the  conscience,  at  times  producing  the 
greatest  manifestations  of  awe  even  among  Christians,  and  writh- 
ings,  under  a  sight  and  sense  of  their  condition,  among  sinners. 
Yet  he  was  not  deficient  in  abilities  to  depict  the  beauties  of  holi- 
ness, and  the  grace  and  truth  that  came  by  Jesus  Christ.  He  was 
stricken  down  by  apoplexy  in  the  midst  of  his  days,  just  as  he  was 


HISTORICAL    NOTES.  305 

resolving  and  entering  on  enlarged  j:)lans  of  usefulness."  His 
labors  at  Blawcnburg  were  biglily  appreciated.  lie  established 
the  church,  he  gathered  into  lier  communion  many  valuable 
members,  and  left  many  regrets  when  he  went  elsewhere. 

Blawenburg  is  now  a  flourishing  church,  united,  prosperous, 
and  increasing.  It  contains  120  families  and  238  members  in 
communion. 

3.  MiDDLEBUsii. — This  church  was  organized  out  of  families 
belonging  to  the  church  of  New-Brunswick,  March  17th,  1834,  by 
a  committee  consisting  of  Rev.  Messrs.  J.  J.  Schultz,  H.  L.  Rice, 
and  A.  D.  Wilson,  It  had  been  an  outpost — a  place  of  catechiza- 
tion  ;  a  church  had  been  talked  of  and  desired  for  some  years. 
At  length,  under  the  advice  of  Dr.  Janeway,  the  step  was  taken. 
The  church  edifice  was  finished  in  1834,  and  Rev,  Jacob  J.  Schultz 
called  from  Whitehouse  and  Lebanon  to  take  charge  of  the  new 
congregation.  He  continued  the  pastor  from  1834  to  183^,  when 
he  resigned,  in  consequence  of  mental  infirmities,  and  died  in  1852. 
We  have  characterized  him  in  another  connection.  His  remains 
were  interred  in  the  cemetery  connected  with  the  church,  and  on 
his  tomb  is  inscribed,  "  Rev.  Jacob  J.  Scliultz,  born  Se])tember  3d, 
1792,  at  Rhinebeck,  N.  Y.  ;  died  October  22d,  1852,  at  Mid- 
dlebush,  N.  J.  The  last  pastor  of  the  united  churches  of 
Lebanon  and  White  House  for  twenty  years ;  the  first  pastor  of 
Middlebush  Church;  graduate  of  Union  College,  New-York,  1813, 
and  of  the  R.  D.  Seminary,  NeAV- Jersey,  1816, 

"The  last  quarter  of  his  life  was  clouded  by  mental  and  phy- 
sical maladies  ;  but  God's  grace  was  magnified,  and  at  the  age  of 
60  he  slept  in  Jesus. 

"  He  was  a  noble  Christian  man— a  faitiiful  and  affectionate 
minister  of  Christ.  His  piety  Avas  reverent,  exalted,  and  full  of 
good  fruits,  fed  T)y  the  doctrines  of  grace  Avhich  he  preached  with 
power  to  the  consciences  of  men. 

"  He  walked  with  God,  did  nothing  witliout  })rayer,  whose  faith 
follow.— Ileb.  13  :  7-8  ;  Rev.  14  :  13." 

j\Ir.  Schultz  was  succeeded  in  1838  by  John  A.  Vandoren,  a 
o-raduate  of  the  Seminarv  at  New-Bnmswick,  who  continued  iiis 
work  until  1866,  when  he  accepted  a  call  to  the  church  of  Lodi, 
N.  Y.  He  was  succeeded  by  George  W.  Swayne.  The  churcli 
is  now  under  the  care  of  Rev.  Stephen  L.  Mershon,  and  num- 
bers 108  families  and  192  in  communion. 


306  HISTORICAL   NOTES. 

4.  The  Ciiltrcii  of  Clover  Hill. — Clover  Hill  cliurcli  was 
organized  on  the  4tli  of  September,  1834,  on  which  occasion 
the  Rev.  S.  A.  Burastead,  of  Manayunk,  Pa.,  preached,  and 
ordained  a  consistory  consisting  of  Henry  Vanderveer  and 
Peter  C.  Schenk,  as  elders,  and  John  W.  Bellis  and  Jacob 
Nevins,  deacons.  A  chnrch  edifice  had  been  already  built,  and 
was  dedicated  October  5tii,  1834 — only  a  month  from  the  date 
when  the  church  had  been  formed.  The  sermon  on  the  occa- 
sion was  i^reached  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Cannon,  of  the  seminary  at 
New-Brunswick,  Early  in  the  next  year,  (1835,)  Garret  C.  Schenck, 
a  student  from  the  seminary,  was  called,  and  continued  to  labor 
until  1831.  The  next  year,  William  Demarest  was  called  and  or- 
dained, and  served  the  people  until  1840.  The  church  then  went 
over  to  the  Presbyterian  connection,  and  remained  in  that  body 
until  1862,  when  it  returned  again  to  its  former  relation  witli  the 
Classis  of  Philadelphia,  and  called  the  candidate  William  B. 
Voorhees.  The  present  j)astor  is  the  Rev.  B.  Oliver.  The  church 
has  recently  enlarged  and  refitted  its  church  edifice,  and  is  now 
in  a  growing  state  and  promises  to  become  a  strong  church.  It 
embraces  75  families  and  115  members  in  communion. 

5.  Second  Church  of  Raritax. — The  Second  Chnrch  of 
Raritan  was  formed  out  of  families  who  had  been  in  commu- 
nion with  the  old  church,  on  the  5th  of  March,  1834.  The  meet- 
ing was  held  in  the  house  of  worship  belonging  to  the  First 
Church.  Rev.  J.  C.  Sears,  of  Six-Mile  Run,  by  appointment  of 
Classis,  preached  the  sermon,  and  was  assisted  in  the  exercises  by 
the  Rev.  A.  D.  Wilson  and  Rev.  J.  L.  Zabriskie.  The  first  con- 
sistory consisted  of  James  Taylor,  Brogun  J.  Brokaw,  and  Thomas 
Talraage,  as  elders,  and  John  A.  Staats,  Peter  Hoge,  Thomas  A. 
Hartwell,  and  James  Bergen,  deacons.  There  were  24  members 
in  communion  when  the  church  was  organized. 

Immediately  after  the  organization,  the  people  took  measures 
for  the  erection  of  a  house  of  worship.  It  was  completed  and 
dedicated  to  the  honor  and  glory  of  the  Triune  God — Father, 
Son,  and  Holy  Ghost — on  Wednesday,  the  18th  of  February, 
1835,  by  Rev.  S.  B.  How,  D.D.,  of  New-Brunswick,  after  preach- 
ing from  Ps.  26  :  8,  "  Lord,  I  have  loved  the  habitation  of  thy 
house,  and  the  place  where  thine  honor  dwelleth." 

At  the  end  of  the  first  year,  the  consistory  reported  76  families 
and  61  members  in  communion  as  belono'ins;  to  their  church. 


HISTORICAL   NOTES,  307 

Rev.  Charles  "Whiteliead,  of  PTopewell,  N.  Y.,  was  called  as  the 
first  pastor,  and  preached  his  first  sermon  on  Sal)bath  morning, 
May  31st,  1835,  from  Romans  15  :  30-32.  He  continued  liis  ser- 
vices for  three  years,  and  was  succeeded,  in  1840,  by  Talbot  W. 
Chambers,  a  student  from  the  seminary  at  New-Brunswick.  He 
preached  his  first  sermon  October  13th,  1839,  and  was  ordained 
and  installed  on  Wednesday,  January  22d,  1840,  and  served  the 
church  until  1849,  when  he  accepted  a  call  from  the  collegiate 
churches  in  the  city  of  New- York  and  resigned.  His  successor,  in 
1850,  was  Elijah  R.  Craven,  a  licentiate  of  the  seminary  at 
Princeton,  who  continued  his  lal)ors  for  four  years,  and  was  suc- 
ceeded, in  1855,  by  Rev.  J.  F.  Mesiek,  the  present  pastor.  The 
church  is  now  in  a  flourishing  condition,  embracing  175  families 
and  398  communicants.  It  has  given  the  following  young  men 
from  its  communioiT  to  the  Christian  ministry,  namely,  John  V. 
N.  Talmage,  Goyn  Talmage,  T.  De  Witt  Talmage,  James  B.  Wil- 
son, Peter  Q.  Wilson,  Frederick  F.  Wilson,  and  A.  J.  Hageman. 

G.  Stanto:s',  formerly  Mouxt  Pleasant,  (1834.) — This 
chnrcli  was  formed  out  of  families  who  had  been  accustomed 
to  attend  public  worship  at  Readington ;  but  the  distance  made 
it  inconvenient  and  burdensome,  and  led  them  to  make  an 
eflbrt  to  provide  a  more  convenient  place  for  themselves.  The 
organization  was  eifected  through  the  Classis  of  Philadelphia, 
October  15th,  1833,  and  it  Avas  called  "the  Dutch  Reformed 
Church  of  Mount  Pleasant."  It  consisted,  originally,  of  only 
four  members,  namely,  John  M.  Wyckofi",  Josiah  Cole  and  wife, 
JNIargaret,  and  Abraham  Anderson.  The  first  consistory  were, 
John  jNI.  Wyckoft'  and  Josiah  Cole,  elders,  and  Abraham  Ander- 
son, deacon. 

In  the  next  yeai",  they  proceeded  to  provide  themselves  with  a 
suitable  place  for  public  worship,  and  erected  the  present  edifice. 
At  the  laying  of  the  corner-stone  of  this  house,  in  1834,  Rev.  G. 
Ludlow,  Joliii  Yan  Liew^,  and  Jacob  Kirkpatrick  were  }n-esent 
and  ofliciated.  Tlie  clnu'ch  was  completed  before  the  close  of  the 
year  and  dedicated,  the  same  reverend  gentlemen — all  neighbor- 
ing ministers — being  present  again  and  taking  part  in  the  ser- 
vices ;  but  the  dates  ai"e  not  attainable  now,  no  records  being 
known  to  have  been  made. 

In  June,  ]835,  the  congregation  presented  a  call  to  tlie  candi- 
date Jacob  R.  Yan  Arsdale.     Tlie  call  was  accepted,  and  he  was 


308  HISTORICAL    NOTES. 

ordained  and  installed  in  October.  He  proved  an  acceptable 
pastor,  and  labored  faithfully  until  April,  1850,  when  he  accepted 
a  call  from  Tyre,  N.  Y.,  and  removed  thither.  He  was  suc- 
ceeded, in  1852,  by  Rev.  Horace  Doolittle,  of  Porapton,  who 
labored  until  1872.  His  successor  was  Rev.  Edward  Cornel,  the 
present  pastor.  This  church  from  small  beginnings  has  grown 
to  fair  and  prosperous  proportions,  and  reported,  last  year,  70 
families  and  140  communicants. 

7.  SecOxVd  Chukch  of  New-Brunswick. — This  church  was 
formed  out  of  families,  most  of  whom  had  belonged  to  the  Old 
First  Church,  February  14th,  1843,  by  a  committee  of  the  Classis 
of  New-Brunswick,  consisting  of  Rev.  A.  Messier,  D.D.,  and 
Messrs.  Chambers  and  Schenck. 

The  first  consistory  were,  George  Nevius  and  John  H.  Stoothoff, 
elders,  and  Isaiah  I^lfe  and  William  T.  Rank,  deacons.  The 
services  were,  for  a  time,  held  in  a  church  edifice  on  the  north- 
west corner  of  Albany  and  Union  streets,  immediately  above  the 
present  church.  In  185  8,  the  erection  of  the  present  commodious 
house  was  commenced  on  the  28th  of  September,  on  a  Tuesday 
afternoon;  Dr.  How,  Professor  Woodbridge,  and  D.  D.  Demarest 
assisting,  and  Dr.  Wilson,  the  pastor  of  the  church,  performing 
the  ceremony  of  laying  the  corner-stone.  This  house  was  com- 
pleted and  dedicated  on  Wednesday,  April  10th,  18G1,  at  7|- 
P.M.  In  this  service,  Drs.  Campbell,  Woodbridge,  and  Demarest 
assisted  Dr.  Wilson,  the  pastor. 

The  succession  of  its  ministers  has  been,  D.  D.  Demarest,  from 
1843  to  1852  ;  Woodbridge,  1852  to  1857  ;  H.  M.  Wilson,  1858  to 
1862;  J.  W.  Schenck,  1863  to  1866,  and  C.  D.  Hartranft,  since 
1867.  It  is  now  a  strong  and  flourishing  church,  numbering  160 
families  and  319  members  in  communion. 

8.  The  Church  of  Griggstown. — This  church  was  organized 
out  of  families  worshiping  previously  at  Six-Mile  Run  and  Harlin- 
gen.  The  movement  grew  out  of  a  desire  on  the  part  of  the 
people  to  enjoy  the  sacred  ordinances  nearer  their  homes.  They 
presented  a  petition  for  an  organization  to  the  Classis  of  New- 
Brunswick,  May  24th,  1842,  Avhich  was  favorably  received;  and 
it  was  resolved  unanimously  that  "  Whereas,  ap2:»lication  has  been 
made  by  a  number  of  individuals  for  the  organization  of  a  cliurch 
at  Griggstown,  therefore  resolved,  that  a  Reformed  Protestant 
Dutch   church    be   organized  at  the   place  contem^jlated  in  this 


HISTORICAL  NOTES.  309 

application,  on  the  thii-d  Tuesday  in  June  next,  at  11  o'clock  a.m., 
provided  tliat  at  that  time  thii-ty  members  from  neighborinrr 
c;ongrcgations  shall  present  their  certificates  of  dismission  for  that 
purpose. 

"  Resolved,  that  Rev.  Abraham  Messier,  John  A.  Van  Doren, 
and  George  Schenck  be  a  committee  to  carry  the  above  resolu- 
tion into  effect ;  and  that  Rev.  A.  Messier  preach  the  ser- 
mon on  that  occasion."  The  committee  met  in  the  Red  School 
House  on  the  west  side  of  Millstone  River,  opposite  the  village  of 
Griggstown,  at  the  time  specified ;  and,  after  receiving  the  certifi- 
cates of  thirty-eight  members  in  full  communion  from  the  neigh- 
boring churches,  pi'oceeded  to  organize  a  church  to  be  known  as 
the  First  Reformed  Protestant  Dutch  Church  of  Griggstown. 
The  sermon  was  i:»reached  by  Rev.  A.  Messier,  of  Somerville. 
The  names  of  the  elders  and  deacons  chosen  ^vere  published^to  the 
people  for  their  approbation,  and  after  the  sermon  they  M^ere  or- 
dained by  Rev.  George  Schenck.  The  names  of  the  first  consis- 
tory were  Abraham  Perlee,  Joseph  Cornell,  Jolm  S.  Iloagland, 
and  Rynier  P.  Staats,  elders,  and  Rynier  A.  Staats,  Garret  Wyck- 
off,  Peter  Cornell,  and  Martin  IST.  Gulick,  deacons.  Immediately 
the  consistory  commenced  the  erection  of  a  church  edifice.  It 
was  completed  and  dedicated  on  August  8th,  1843.  The  sermon 
was  preached  by  Rev.  Jeremiah  S.  Lord,  who  had  been  called  as 
])astor  of  the  church,  and  on  the  afternoon  of  the  same  day  he 
was  ordained  and  installed  in  his  office.  lie  contiimed  to  serve 
the  church  until  1837.  The  next  year  the  candidate  John  A.  Todd 
was  called  and  ordained.  He  continued  to  preach  nntW  1855, 
when  he  was  called  to  Tarrytown.  The  same  year  G.  P.  Livino-- 
ston  accepted  a  call  from  the  church,  and  remained  Avith  them 
until  1858.  In  1850,  Rev.  Stephen  Searle  was  called,  and  continues 
the  beloved  pastor  of  a  united  peo2)le.  The  congregation  num- 
bers at  i)resent  56  families  and  107  members  in  comnnniion. 

9.  BoiTxnr.uooK. — This  church  was  formed  ])rincipal]y  from 
families  who  had  been  in  communion  with  the  Presbyterian 
Church,  with  a  few  from  Millstone  and  Somerville.  It  Avas  or- 
ganized on  the  20th  of  August,  184G,  in  the  Franklin  School 
House.  The  first  consistory  were  John  Lane,  Cornelius  ^fessler, 
Jacob  II.  Wyckoff,  and  Caleb  C.  BrokaAV,  eldei-s,.  and  Andrew 
Todd,  Daniel  H.  Yoorhees,  Elias  B.  Yan  Avsdale,  and  Henry  C. 
Brokaw,  deacons.  It  began  under  excellent  ausjjices^  and  Avith 
'JO 


310  HISTORICAL    XOTES. 

sufficient  numbers  to  become  at  once  an  efficient  and  self-sustain- 
ing church. 

Provision  liad  ah-eady  been  made  to  build  a  suitable  house  for 
public  worship,  and  it  was  completed  at  an  early  day,  and  dedi- 
cated to  the  worship  of  God  on  the  10th  May,  1848.  The  services 
were  commenced  by  Rev.  Dr.  Messier  oifering  prayer.  Then  the 
Rev,  Dr.  R.  K.  Rodgers,  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  read  the 
84th  Psalm.  After  singing  a  hymn,  the  Rev.  D.  D.  Demarest  led 
in  prayer,  and  the  pastor.  Rev.  George  J.  Van  Neste,  gave  an  ad- 
dress. Rev.  George  H.  Fisher,  of  New- York,  preached  the  sermon 
from  Ileb.  11  :  10,  and  dedicated  the  church,  and  Dr.  Rodgers 
made  the  concluding  prayer. 

The  pastors  have  been :  George  J. Van  Neste,  from  1847  to  1854  ; 
William  Demarest,  from  1854  to  1857  ;  Henry  V.  Voorhees,  from 
1858  to  1862  ;  Benja«nin  F.  Romaine,  from  1862  to  1868.  In  1869 
Rev.  J.  C.  Dutcher  was  called,  and  still  continues  his  acceptable 
labors  among  this  people.  The  church  has  become  a  united  and 
efficient  organization,  and  its  future  seems  to  be  assured  as  one  of 
comfort  and  usefulness.  It  numbers  85  families,  with  149  com- 
municants. 

10.  The  Third  Church  of  Raritan. — The  organization  of 
this  church  grew  out  of  the  increase  of  population  in  the  village 
of  Raritan.  A  chapel  was  built  at  first,  principally  through  the 
exertions  of  Frederick  J.  Frelinghuysen,  and  services  maintained 
in  it  by  the  ministers  of  the  first  and  second  churches.  But  in  the 
spring  of  1848  an  application  was  made  to  Classis  for  a  special 
organization,  and  being  granted,  a  committee  was  appointed  to 
effect  this  object.  The  committee  consisted  of  Re\\  Dr.  A.  Mess- 
ier, T.  W.  Cliambers,  and  D.  D.  Demarest.  They  met  on  the  16th 
of  May,  1848,  and,  after  a  sermon  by  Dr.  Messier,  organized  a 
church  by  ordaining  a  consistory  composed  of  John  A.  Staats, 
Thomas  S.  Whitenack,  Peter  V.  Staats,  and  David  T.  Runyoa  as 
elders,  and  John  Freck,  Garret  J.  Quick,  Isaac  V.  Porter,  and 
Richard  Pi'ovost  as  deacons. 

Having  called  Peter  Stryker,  a  student  from  the  Seminary,  as 
pastor,  he  was  ordained  and  installed  on  the  lOtli  of  October, 
1843.  He  preached  at  first  in  the  chapel;  but  on  the  18th  of 
September,  1850,  the  people  had  completed  their  arrangements  to 
build  a  suitable  church  edifice,  and  the  corner-stone  was  laid  by 
the  iiastor,  with  appropriate  ceremonies.  The  house  was  dedicated 


HISTORICAL   NOTES.  311 

by  Rev.  Dr.  Iluttoii,  of  New- York,  July  30tli,  1S51,  after  a  ser- 
raon  f  rom  Ecclesiastes  5  :  1-2. 

In  1851,  Mr.  Stryker  resigned  liis  call, having  accepted  an  invi- 
tation to  become  pastor  of  the  church  at  Rhinebeck,  N.  Y. 
lie  was  succeeded  the  same  year  by  Rev.  James  A.  11.  Cornell, 
Avho  Avas  installed  March  4th,  1852,  and  served  the  church  for 
four  years,  Avhen  he  accepted  the  position  of  secretary  to  the 
Jioard  of  Education,  and  removed  to  his  own  residence  at  Xew- 
Baltimore,  N.  Y. 

In  1857,  James  Le  Fever,  a  student  from  the  Seminary  at  Xew- 
Brunswick,  was  called,  and  ordained  and  installed  on  the  25th  of 
June,  lie  is  still  laboring  in  this  field,  and  has  liad  the  pleasure 
of  seeing  a  strong  and  active  church  growing  up  as  the  result  of 
liis  exertions  and  the  increase  of  population  in  the  village.  It 
numbers  at  present  125  families  and  270  members  in  communion, 
and  has  before  it  a  future  of  rich  promise. 

11.  Peapack. — The  church  at  Peapack  was  organized  by  a 
committee,  appointed  by  the  Classis  of  New-Brunswick,  at  the 
request  of  the  Rev.  George  Schenk,  of  Bedminstcr,  and  the  ])eopk' 
in  the  village  of  Peapack,  in  the  lecture  room,  built  some  years 
previously,  on  Tuesday,  October  .31st,  1848.  There  were  received 
thirty-one  in  communion  with  the  church  of  Bedminstcr ;  four 
from  the  Presbyterian  church  of  Leamington  ;  and  one  from  the 
Congregational  church  at  Chester  into  this  organization,  making 
a  total  of  thirty-six  members.  The  first  consistory  chosen  Avere, 
Jacob  Tiger,  Peter  De  Mott,  Abraham  Cortelyou,  and  Nicholas 
Tiger,  ciders,  and  Henry  II.  Wyckoff,  James  S.  Todd,  John  S.  Te- 
linly,  and  Jacob  A.  Clauson,  deacons.  After  a  sermon  by  Rev.  A. 
INlessler,  D.D.,  from  Prov.  8  :  34,  the  consistory  was  ordained  by 
Rev.  George  Schenck,  and  the  services  were  closed  by  prayer  and 
the  benediction  by  Rev.  Mr.  Stontenburgh,  of  Chester. 

The  corner-stone  of  the  church  edifice  was  laid  on  Tuesday,  July 
1 0th,  1849,  amid  a  large  concourse  of  people,  and  addresses  Avere 
made  by  Rev.  Dr.  Messier,  Rev.  J.  K.  Campbell,  and  Rev.  George 
Schenck.  The  Rev.  J.  F.  Morris,  Re^^  Messrs.  Williamson,  Stout- 
cnbergh,  Johnson,  and  Oackley,  were  present,  Avith  the  pastor  of 
the  church.  Rev.  William  Anderson. 

On  Tuesday,  January  15th,  1850,  the  church  Avas  dedicated. 
The  i)ul[)it  Avas  occupied  by  Rev.  jNIessrs.  J.  K.  Campbell,  George 
Schenck,  D.  D.  Demarest,  and  J.  31.  Knox.     The  pastor  presided, 


312  HISTORICAL  NOTES. 

IJev.  K.  Campbell  offered  the  prayer,  D.  D,  Demarest  preached 
the  sermon  from  2  Cor.  G  :  41,  G.  Schenek  offered  tlie  dedi- 
catory prayer,  and  1Xq\,  J.  M.  Knox  the  concluding  prayer.  This 
church  has  still  its  second  pastor.  Rev.  Wm.  x\nderson  served  it 
from  its  organization  until  1856,  and  was  succeeded  in  1857  by 
Rev.  Henry  P.  Thompson,  the  present  incumbent. 

The  church  has  recently  been  enlarged  and  beautified,  and  was 
reopened  November  21st,  1872.  The  whole  aspect  of  its  affairs 
is  progressive,  prosperous,  and  satisfactory.  The  expenses  of 
enlargement  have  amounted  to  $4500,  and  the  people  are  enjoy- 
ing the  comfort  and  pleasure  of  their  activity  and  enterprise.  It 
numbers  110  families  and  218  communicants. 

12.  Branciiville. — This  church  was  formed  out  of  families 
from  the  churches  of  Readington  and  Neshanic,  with  a  few  from 
the  churches  in  Somerville.  It  grew  out  of  the  necessity  of 
])ublic  worship  in  this  growing  village,  and  was  organized  May 
2d,  1850,  by  a  committee  from  the  Classis  of  Raritan,  consisting 
of  Dr.  Messier,  Rev.  J.  R.  Campbell,  Rev.  Goyn  Talmage,  and  G. 
J.  Van  Xeste.  The  sermon  was  preached  by  Talmage  from  Ex. 
3,3  :  15,  and  the  consistory  Avas  ordained  by  Campbell.  The  first 
consistory  Avere,  John  ^'an  Dyke,  Cornelius  Bergen,  Garret  Beek- 
man,  and  Henry  P.  Stryker,  elders,  and  Lucas  H.  Iloagland, 
Gilbert  S.  Amernian,  John  Vossler,  and  John  Yeghte,  deacons. 

Preparations  to  erect  a  suitable  house  of  worship  were  imme- 
diately begun,  and  the  corner-stone  was  laid  amid  a  large  con- 
course of  people.  Addresses  were  delivered  by  Rev.  Messrs. 
Chambei's,  Campbell,  Talmage,  and  Messier.  It  is  recollected  as 
an  animated  scene  on  a  beautiful  summer  day. 

The  church  was  dedicated  in  1850,  after  a  sermon  by  Rev.  Dr. 
Messier;  and  on  the  next  day  the  candidate,  Henry  Dater,  was 
ordained  and  installed  as  pastor  of  the  new  church,  on  which 
occasion  Rev.  J.  R.  Campbell  preached  the  sermon.  He  continued 
his  labours  until  185;],  and  was  succeeded  the  same  year  by  Rev. 
William  Pitclier,  the  present  incumbent.  This  church  has  had  a 
p"osi)erous  career  from  the  beginning,  and  now  numbers  101 
families  and  95  members  in  communion. 

13.  Easton. — The  church  at  Easton,  Pa.,  was  organized  in  Rev. 
Dr.  John  Vanderveer's  school-room,  on  Saturday,  July  2Gth,  1851, 
by  a  conmiittee  of  the  Classis  of  New-Brunswick,  consisting  of 
Rev.  A.  :Messler,  D.D.,  George  Schenek,  and  II.  D.  Ganse.     The 


IIISTOKICAL    NOTES.  313 

first  consistory  were,  Messrs.  Frail  Green,  ]\I.D.,  E.  Dean  Dow, 
James  Pollock,  and  Samuel  C.  Brown,  ekknN,  and  William  (t. 
Stewart,  C.  F.  Thurston,  Richard  S.  Bell,  and  Benjamin  Gods- 
chalk,  deacons. 

The  first  churcli  services  were  held  on  tin;  succeeding  Sabbath, 
July  27th,  in  Christ  Church,  Lutheran,  when  IJev.  Dr.  Messier 
preached  from  Ephesians  2  :  20,  and  the  Rev.  George  Schenck 
ordained  the  consistory.  The  building  of  a  church  for  the  new 
congregation  was  already  commenced,  and  soon  a  call  was  pre 
sented  to  Rev.  James  Mason  Knox,  of  the  Presbyterian  church, 
German  Valley,  Xcw-Jersey,  Avhich  was  accepted.  lie  was  in- 
stalled as  pastor  November  23d,  1851  ;  Rev.  Messrs.  Schenck, 
Ganse,  and  De  Witt  were  jJi'esent ;  Gansc  preaching  the  sermon 
from  John  3  :  14-15. 

The  church,  which  was  on  Fifth,  then  Juliana,  street,  was  com- 
pleted and  dedicated  July  29th,  1852,  by  Rev.  Dr.  George  W, 
Bethune.  This  edifice  was  occupied  until  December,  1870,  when 
it  Avas  sold  to  Zion  Lutheran  congregation,  and  the  last  service 
was  held  hi  it  December  25th,  1870. 

A  new  church  edifice  was  immediately  commenced  on  Spring 
Garden  Street,  and  the  corner-stone  was  laid  June  26th,  187]. 
In  the  mean  time,  the  congregation  worshiped  in  the  First  Pres- 
byterian Church.  This  house  Avas  dedicated  on  the  l7th  March, 
1872,  by  the  pastor.  Rev.  Dr.  C.  II.  Edgar.  The  sermon  was 
preached  from  Zecli.  0   :  12. 

The  church  has  still  the  services  of  its  second  pastor.  Rev.  J. 
H.  M.  Knox  remained  with  them  nntil  1853,  when  he  resigned, 
and  accepted  a  call  from  the  Presbyterian  church  of  German- 
town,  Avhere  he  is  still  laboring.  Rev.  Di-.  C.  H.  Edgar  was 
called  the  same  year  from  the  Presbyterian  church  of  Bridge- 
hampton.  Long  Island,  and  installed  XovemlKn-  11th,  1853.  The 
Rev.  J.  R.  Campbell,  of  North-Branch,  preached  the  sermon  f  lom 
2  Tim.  4  :  2,  :uid  charged  the  people,  and  Rev.  E.  R.  Craven,  of 
the  Second  church,  Somerville,  charged  the  pastor.  l"n  ler 
Edgar's  able  and  efficient  laboi-s  the  church  has  prospered  and 
increased.  It  bids  fair  to  be  soon  a  strong  and  active  church 
It  numbers  55  families  and  94  communicants. 

14.  East-Millstone. — The  church  of  East-Millstone  grew  out 
of  the  increase  of  the  village  on  the  east  side  of  the  river,  and 
Avas  demanded  by  the  circumstances.     Tlie  Rev.  David  Cole,  to 


31-1  HISTORICAL   NOTES. 

Avliom  we  owe  almost  all  the  subsequent  liistory  of  this  church, 
says,  "  The  quick  growth  of  the  village  soon  suggested  to  its 
Ciiristian  people  the  importance  of  taking  steps  to  secure  distinct 
religious  privileges  fur  themselves."  Three  men  were  most  ac- 
tive in  securing  an  organization,  Ernestus  Schenck,  Dr.  Garret 
Van  Doren,  and  John  V.  A.  Merril.  In  due  time  the  subject  was 
brought  to  the  notice  of  the  Classis  of  New-Brunswick,  and  on 
the  19th  June,  1855,  a  committee  was  appointed  to  consult  with 
the  consistory"  of  the  old  church  on  the  west  side  of  the  river. 
Tlicy  reported  in  fivor  of  immediate  action.  On  the  19th  July, 
classis  appointed  Dr.  Mesick,  Di".  J.  A.  II.  Cornell,  William 
Pitcher,  and  the  elder  Jeremiah  Whitenack  a  committee  to 
organize  the  church.  It  consisted  of  eighteen  members.  The 
first  consistory  were,  Cornelius  Broacli  and  John  V.  A.  Merril, 
elders,  and  Richard  A.  Kuhl  and  John  Stines,  deacons.  The 
sermon  on  the  occasion  was  preaclied  by  Dr.  Mesick,  from  Acts 
9  :  31. 

In  their  report,  October  16th,  1855,  the  committee  say,  This 
enlerprise  has  started  mider  flattering  auspices.  $2000  are 
subscribed  toward  building  a  house  of  worship,  and  the 
sum  will  be  increased  to  $3000.  The  building  committee  liave 
already  advertised  for  sealed  proposals  to  build  the  house 
according  to  a  specified  plan.  IMessrs.  Ernestus  Schenck,  J.  V. 
A.  Merril,  and  Peter  WorLman  Avere  appointed  a  building  com- 
mittee. Dr.  John  Ludlow  addressed  the  people  on  the  laying  of 
the  cornerstone,  and  Dr.  J.  M.  Matthews,  of  New- York,  preached 
the  sermon  at  the  dedication  of  tlie  churcli.  Tiie  entire  cost  of 
the  lot,  building,  and  bell,  was  $5  748.23. 

'  The  first  pastor.  Rev.  Giles  Vander  Wall,  was  called  June  17th, 
1856,  and  liis  installation  took  place  July  9th;  and  the  connec- 
tion was  dissolved  June  Sth,  1858.  Mr.  Vander  AY  all  Avent  to  the 
Holland  colony  in  Michigan,  and  subsequentl}'-  as  missionary  to 
South-Africa.  He  was  a  native  of  Holland,  but  educated  at 
New-Brunswick. 

Tlie  church  remained  vacant  until  November  23d,  1858,  Avhen 
David  Cole  was  called,  and  installed.  He  remained  until  April 
1st,  1863,  Avhen  he  accepted  an  appointment  as  Professor  of  tlie 
Latin  and  Greek  languages  in  Rutgers  College.  He  is  now  pas- 
tor of  the  church  at  Yonkers,  New-York. 


HISTORICAL   NOTES.  315 

lie  was  succeeded  tlie  same  year  by  Martin  L.  IJerger,  wlio 
served  tliis  cliurch  tlirce  years;  and  lie  again  was  succeeded  by 
William  II.  Phraner  in  186G.  The  present  pastor  is  Rev.  A. 
McWilliam,  who  has  served  the  church  since  1869.  It  includes 
85  families  and  15.3  members  in  communion,  and  is  becoming 
one  of  the  most  active  and  efficient  of  our  young  churches. 

15.  Rocky  IIiix. — The  church  here  grew  out  of  the  necessity 
of  increased  religious  privileges  to  the  inhabitants  of  this  growing 
village.  It  was  organized  by  the  Classis  of  Pliiladelphia  jMay  Gtli, 
1857.  The  church  edifice  had  been  previously  commenced,  and 
was  dedicated  to  the  worship  of  the  Triune  God,  after  a  sermon 
preached  by  Rev.  B,  C.  Taylor,  D.D.,  of  Bergen,  N.  J.,  June 
10th,  1857.  In  this  service  Rev.  Jolm  Gardner,  Rev.  J.  C.  Lord, 
Rev.  Dr.  Sears,  and  Rev.  Dr.  Peter  Labagh,  the  aged  and  reve- 
rend pastor  of  Ilarlingen,  participated. 

The  first  consistory  consisted  of  Mindert  Vreeland,  Samuel 
Brearly,  Isaac  Van  Dyke,  and  Joseph  IT.  Yoorhees,  elders,  and 
John  A.  Saums,  Michael  Vreeland,  Dr.  C.  K,  Vandoren,  and  Jacob 
Vreelan,  deacons. 

Almost  immediately  the  Rev.  Martin  S.  Schenck  was  called, 
and  settled  as  the  first  pastor.  He  continued  liis  labors  until 
18G5,  and  was  succeeded  the  same  year  by  Oscar  Gesner,  a  licen- 
tiate from  the  Theological  Seminary,  who  labored  until  1871,  and 
the  church  is  now  under  the  pastoral  supervision  of  Rev.  Herman 
C.  Berg.  The  congregation  embraces  77  families,  and  has  before 
it  a  prosperous  and  happy  future. 

16.  PoTTEUsviLLE. — The  church  at  Pottersville  originated  from 
a  desire  to  obtain  the  means  of  grace  in  a  locality  which  had  been 
deprived  of  them.  The  inhabitants  of  that  beautiful  rural  little 
village  had  no  church  Avithin  a  convenient  distance.  Mr.  Bering 
Potter,  the  proprietor  of  the  mills  to  which  the  village  owed  its 
existence,  felt  the  deprivation  to  which  all  Avere  subjected,  and 
with  his  sons  and  others  moved  in  the  matter  of  providing  a 
church. 

The  iirst  meeting  was  held  in  the  district  school-house  on  the 
nth  of  October,  1865.  The  object  was  to  prepare  a  memorial  ad- 
dressed to  the  Classis  of  Raritan,  praying  for  the  organization  of 
a  church  under  their  care.  At  this  meeting,  Rev.  Henry  P. 
Thompson,  of  Pea|)ack,  was  present  as  adviser.  This  memorial, 
dated  October  10th,  1865,  was  presented  to  Classis  at  their  stated 


316  HISTORICAL   NOTES. 

autumnal  session  in  tlie  Thircl  Cliurcli  of  Raritan,  on  tlie  day  of  its 
date.     Tlie  petition  was  granted,  and  a  committee  consisting  of 
Rev.  P.  M.  Doolittle,  Rev.  Dr.  A.  Messier,  Rev.  William  Brusli, 
Rev.  II.  P.  Tliomj^son,  and  the  elders  Isaac  Crater  and  Zechariali 
L.  Smith,  was  appointed  to  perfect  the  organization.     The  com- 
mittee    met     in     the     school-house   at   Pottersville  on    the    2d 
November,  I860.     A  sermon  was  preached  by  Rev.  Dr.  Messier 
from  Proverbs  8  :  34.     Certificates  of  church  membership  were 
presented  from  twenty-seven  individuals,  embracing  nine  from  the 
Presbyterian  Church,  seven  from  the  Reformed  Churcli,  six  from 
the  Methodist  Church,  three  from  the  Congregational  Church,  and 
two  from  the  Lutheran  Church.     A  consistory  was  chosen,  their 
names  published  to  the  people  for  their  approval,  and,  no  objec- 
tions being  made,  they  were  installed.     The  consistory  was  com- 
posed of  three  elders  and  three  deacons,  namely,  Sering  Potter, 
Thomas  Fritts,  and  jMartin  Rhinehart,  elders,  and  Joseph  Emmons, 
Alexander  McDougal,  and  Edmund  P.  Potter,  deacons.     Supplies 
were  appointed  for  the  new  church  by  the  Classis,  and  religious 
services  were  thenceforth  regularly  held  in  the  school-house. 

During  the  winter,  arrangements  were  perfected  to  build  a 
church  edifice,  the  corner-stone  of  which  was  laid  May  22d,  18GG, 
after  a  sermon  by  Rev.  P.  M.  Doolittle  from  Ephesians  2  :  20,  by 
Rev.  Tl.  P.  Thompson,  who  addressed  the  people.  The  exercises 
were  closed  with  prayer  by  Rev.  J.  B.  Ileward,  of  tlie  Methodist 
Church. 

The  house  was  finished  and  dedicated  December  20th,  1860. 
The  sermon  was  preached  by  Rev.  H.  P.  Thompson  ;  the  Rev.  Dr. 
Blauvelt  and  Messrs.  Stoutenbergh,  Yoorhees,  and  Heward  partici- 
pating in  the  services.     The  cost  of  the  building  was  $8552.58. 

The  call  of  the  first  pastor,  Thomas  W.  Jones,  a  licentiate  from 
the  Seminary  at  New-Brunswick,  bears  date  May  31st,  1867.  He 
resigned  and  removed  to  Amsterdam,  New- York,  in  1870. 

The  call  of  the  second  pastor,  Vernon  B.  Carroll,  is  dated  Ma\- 
25th,  1871.  He  was  also  a  licentiate  from  the  Seminary  at  New- 
Brunswick,  and  is  still  laboring  earnestly  among  his  people.  The 
church  has  the  best  prospects,  and  will  soon  have  abundance  of 
strength  in  numbers  and  in  wealth.  It  includes  GO  families  and 
78  members  in  communion  at  tlie  present  time — a  marked  growth 
in  the  seven  years  of  its  existence. 


HISTORICAL   NOTES.  317 

17.  High  Bridge. — This  cluircli  was  formed  out  of  ;i  promis- 
cuous population,  gathered  in  tlie  viUage  wliicli  liad  grown  uj) 
along  the  New-Jersey  Central  Railroad  at  this  point,  and  included 
Presbyterians,  Methodists,  Lutherans,  and  Reformed.  It  was  or- 
ganized F'ebruary  1.3th,  18GG,  by  a  committee  of  the  Classis  of 
Raritan,  consisting  of  Rev.  Messrs.  Doolittle,  Thompson,  Van 
Amburgh,  and  Lefever.  These  services  were  held  in  a  lectm'c- 
rooni  which  had  been  purchased  from  the  Methodists,  and  Rev.  J 
Lefever  preached  the  sermon.  The  first  consistory  consisted  of 
Charles  Conover  and  Isaac  Hammer,  elders,  and  John  Q.  Seals  and 
Johnson  II.  Bejinet,  deacons.  They  were  ordained  by  Rev.  R. 
Van  Amburgh  after  the  sermon  had  been  preached.  The  Rev. 
Cornelius  WyckofF  was  called  as  the  first  pastor,  and  served  the 
church  until  18G8,  when  he  retired  on  account  of  failing  health, 
and  died  in  New-Brunswick.  The  Rev.  Robert  Van  Amburgli 
supplied  the  church  for  nearly  two  years.  Under  his  encou- 
raging labors  the  lecture-room  Avas  sold,  and  the  present  beautiful 
church  erected  and  dedicated  November  15th,  1870.  Dr.  Rogers, 
of  New-York,  preached  the  sermon,  and  Dr.  Messier,  of  Somer- 
ville,  dedicated  the  house.  Dr.  Rogers  also  officiated  at  the  lay- 
ing of  the  corner-stone.  Tiie  congregation  is  now  in  tlie  charge 
of  Rev.  Jacob  Fehrnian,  and  is  growing  in  numbers  and  in 
strength.  It  reports  82  families  and  GO  communicants.  Its  posi- 
tion and  surroundings  are  such  as  to  insure  its  extension  and 
increase  to  a  prosperous  church  in  a  i^ew  years. 

18.  Clixtox  Station. — This  congregation  Avas  formed  out  t>f 
Lebanon,  and  organized  by  a  committee  of  tlie  Chassis  of  Raritan, 
consisting  of  Revs.   R.  Van  Amburgh,  J.  Lefever,  and  P.  ]M. 
Doolittle,  January  1st,  186G.  The  first  consistory  was,  Archibald 
Huftnian  and  John  II.  Cregen,  elders,  and  George  M.  Freeh  and 
George  II.  Rowland,  deacons.     Tlie  people  worshiped  for  a  time 
in  a  public  hall  in  the  village,  but  in  1868  began  to  build.      The 
house  was  finished  and  dedicated,  classis  beiiig  in  session,  by  the 
pastor,  J.  A.  Vandoren.     ]\[r.  Vandoren  acted  first  as  stated  sup- 
ply from  October  1st,   18GG,  to  October   7th,   18G9,  when  he  ac- 
cepted the  call,  and  continues  to  labor,  being  useful  and  beloved. 
The  cliurcli  numbers  44  families  and  47  members  in  communion. 
Tiie  village  is  now  called  Aniiandale. 

Besides  these  churches,  a  church  was  organized  out  of  German 
families  in  Warren  Township,  in  185G,  and  after  having  sustained 


3 IS  HISTORICAL  NOTES. 

for  many  years,  it  revolted,  and  is  now  under  the  Congregation- 
aliste. 

Another  German  cliurch  was  organized  in  Plainfield,  and  the 
Central  Church  of  Plainfield  has  placed  itself  also  in  connection 
with  Congregationalism.  A  German  church  was  also  formed  in 
New-Brunswick  in  1851,  and  is  prospering. 

One  remark  must  close  our  notice  of  these  young  churches, 
and  that  is,  they  are  following  on  in  the  footsteps  of  the  elder, 
and  each  one  has  prospered  according  to  the  measure  of  their 
steadfastness,  and  the  energy  manifested  in  their  proper  work. 
Our  detail  more  than  justifies  the  complimentary  epithet  applied 
to  the  churclies  in  Somerset  County :  they  are  indeed  the 
"garden  of  the  Dutch  Church." 


CHARTER  OF  THE  FIVE  CIIURCFIES  :  NEW-BRUNS- 
WICK, RARITAN,  SIX-MILE  RUN,  MILLSTONE,  AND 
NORTH-BRANCH. 

Granted  Juxe  Tth,  1753. 

George  the  Second,  by  the  Grace  of  God,  of  Great  Britain, 
France,  and  Ireland  King,  Defender  of  tlie  Faith,  etc.  To  all  whom 
tliese  presents  shall  come,  greeting  :  Whereas,  divers  and  sun- 
dries of  our  loving  subjects  inhabiting  within  the  several  Coun- 
ties of  Somerset,  Hunterdon,  and  Middlesex,  in  our  Province  of 
New-Jersey,  in  behalf  of  themselves  and  others,  being  of  the 
Dutch  Protestant  Reformed  Church,  by  their  humble  jjetition 
presented  to  our  trusty  and  well-beloved  Jonathan  Belcher,  Esq., 
Captain  General  in  Chief  in  and  over  our  Province  of  New- 
Jersey  and  territories  thereon  depending  in  America,  Chancellor 
and  Vice-Admiral  in  the  same,  etc.,  setting  forth  that  the  peti- 
tioners are  very  numerous  and  daily  increasing,  and  consist  of 
five  churches  and  congregations,  to  wit,  the  church  and  congre- 
gation of  Raritan,  the  church  and  congregation  of  North- 
Branch,  the  church  and  congregation  of  New-Brunswick,  the 
church  and  congregation  of  Six-Mile  Run,  the  church  and  con- 
gregation of  Millstone  ;  that  the  niost  advantageous  support  of 
religion  among  them  requires  tliat   some  persons  among   them 


HISTORICAL   NOTES.  319 

should  be  incorporated  as  trustees  for  tlic  community,  that  they 
may  take  grants  of  lands  and  chattels,  thereby  to  enable  the 
petitioners  to  erect  and  repair  public  buiMings,  for  the  worship 
of  God,  school-houses  and  alms-houses,  and  for  tlie  maintenance 
of  the  ministry  and  poor,  and  that  the  same  trustees  may  plead 
and  may  be  impleaded  in  any  suit  touching  the  premises,  and 
have  perpetual  succession ;  and  we  having  nothing  more  at  heart 
than  to  see  the  Protestant  religion  in  a  flourishing  condition 
tliroughout  all  our  dominions,  and  being  graciously  pleased  to 
give  all  due  encouragements  to  such  of  our  loving  subjects  Avho 
are  zealously  attached  to  our  person,  government,  and  the  Pro- 
testant succession  in  our  royal  house,  and  to  grant  the  request  of 
petitioners  in  this  behalf:  know  ye,  that  we  of  our  special  grace, 
certain  knowledge,  and  mere  motion,  liave  willed,  ordained,  con- 
stituted, and  granted,  and  by  these  presents  for  us,  our  iieirs  and 
successors,  do  will,  ordain,  constitute,  and  appoint,  that  the  Ilev. 
John  Light,  John  Frelinghuysen,  Ministers,  John  Van  Middle- 
mirth,  Peter  AVilliams, Peter  Van  Ess,  Andrew  Ten  Eyck,  Daniel 
Cybyrn,  Peter  Mountford,  Ilenrick  Fisher,  Cornelius  Bennot, 
William  Williams,  Luke  Vorhees,  David  Nevius,  Simon  Van 
Arsdalen,  John  Strieker,  Reynior  Vechten,  elders,  and  Frans 
Cusart,  Andrew  Monton,  John  Brocaw,  Ilarman  Lean,  Cornelius 
Whykoff,  Peter  Schamp,  Ilendrick  Van  Deursen,  John  Messelaer, 
Abraham  Ilize,  Cliristopher  lloglan.  Rem  Garretson,  Cornelius 
Van  Arsdalen,  Andrew  Hagaman,  Abraham  Hagaman,  and 
James  Van  Arsdalen,  deacons,  of  the  Dutch  Reformed  con- 
gregations above-named,  and  the  counties  aforesaid,  and  their' 
successors  hereafter,  the  minister  or  ministers,  elders  and  dea- 
cons of  the  respective  churches  or  congregations,  which  at  or 
any  time  hereafter,  be  duly  chosen  or  appointed,  shall  be  and 
remain  oae  body  politick  and  corporate  in  deed  and  fact,  by  the 
name  of  the  trustees  of  the  Dutch  Reformed  Church  of  Raritan, 
North-Branch,  Xew-Bi-unswick,  Six-Mile  Run,  and  Millstone,  in 
the  counties  aforesaid,  and  that  all  and  every  one,  the  ministers, 
elders,  and  deacons,  before  herein  expressed,  shall  be  the  first 
trustees  of  the  said  churches  and  congregations  now  by  these 
presents  constitute  and  made  one  body  politick  by  the  name  of 
the  trustees  of  the  Protestant  Dutch  Reformed  Church,  and 
shall  so  renaain  until  others  are  duly  called,  chosen,  and  put  into 


320  HISTORICAL    NOTES. 

their  respective  place  or  places,  and  that  they,  tlie  said  body 
politick  and  corporate,  shall  have  perpetual  succession  in  deed, 
fact,  and  name,  to  be  known  and  distinguished  by  the  name  of 
tlie  Trustees  of  tlie  Dutch  Reformed  Cliurch  ;  and  all  deeds, 
grants,  bargains,  sales,  leases,  evidences,  or  otherwise  whatsoever, 
which  may  anywise  relate  or  concern  the  corporation,  and  also 
that  they  and  their  successors,  by  the  name  of  the  Trustees  of 
the  Dntcli  Reformed  Church  of  Raritan,  North-Brancli,  New- 
Brunswick,  Six-Mile  Run,,  and  Millstone,  in  the  counties  afore- 
said, be  and  forever  hereafter  shall  be,  persons  able  in  law  to 
purcliase,  take,  hold,  or  enjoy,  any  messuages,  houses,  buildings, 
lands,  tenement,  rents,  or  whatsoever  in  fee  and  forever,  or  for 
time  of  life,  or  lives,  or  in  any  other  manner,  so  as  the  same 
exceed  not  at  any  time  in  the  yearly  value  of  seven  hundred 
pounds  sterling,  per  annum,  beyond  and  above  all  charges,  and 
reprizes,  the  statute  of  mortmain,  or  any  otlier  law  to  tlie  con- 
trary notwithstanding,  and  also  goods,  chattels,  and  all  other 
things  to  what  kind  soever,  and  also  that  they  and  their  succes- 
sors, by  the  name  of  the  Trustees  of  the  Reformed  Dutch  Church, 
shall  and  may  give,  grant,  demise,  or  otherwise  dispose  of  all  or 
any  of  the  messuages,  houses,  buildings,  lands,  tenements,  rents, 
and  all  other  things  as  to  them  shall  seeni  meet,  at  their  own  will 
and  pleasure ;  and  also  that  they  and  their  successors,  be  and  for- 
ever hereafter  shall  be  persons  able  in  law  to  sue  and  be  sued,  plea 
and  be  impleaded,  answer  and  be  answered  unto,  defend  and  be 
defended  in  all  courts  and  places,  before  us,  our  heirs  and  suc- 
cessors, and  before  us,  or  any  of  the  judges,  officers,  or  minis- 
ters of  lis,  our  heirs  and  successors,  in  all  and  all  manners  of 
actions,  suits,  complaints,  pleas,  causes,  matters,  and  demands  what- 
soever; and  also  that  the  same  trustees  of  the  Dutch  Reformed 
Churches  above  named  for  the  time  being,  and  their  successors, 
shall  and  may  forever  hereafter  have  and  use  a  common  seal, 
with  such  device  or  devices  as  they  shall  think  proper,  for  sealing 
all  and  singular  deeds,  grants,  conveyances,  contracts,  bonds, 
articles  of  agreements,  and  all  and  singular  their  affairs  touching 
or  concerning  the  said  Corporation.  And  we  do  now  further 
ordain,  will,  or  grant,  that  all  and  every  such  lands,  tenements, 
and  hereditaments  corporeal  or  incorporeal,  money,  goods,  and 
chattels,  which  at  any  time  before  or  after  the  date  of  these  our 


HISTORICAL   NOTES.  821 

letters  patent  have  been,  or  shall  be,  devisoil,  given,  or  granted 
to  all  or  any  of  the  particular  churches  above  named,  within 
the  said  several  counties  of  Hunterdon,  Somerset,  and  Middle- 
sex:, or  to  any  person  or  persons,  in  trust  for  them,  shall  be  and 
remain  in  the  peacea\)le  and  quiet  possession  of  the  Corporation, 
according  to  the  true  intent  or  meaning  of  such  device  or 
devices,  gift  or  gifts,  grant  or  grants,  that  t!ie  trustees  by  these 
presents  appointed,  shall  continue  and  remain  the  trustees  of 
the  Dutch  Reformed  Church  of  liaritan,  North-Branch,  New- 
Brunswick,  Six-Mile  Run,  and  Millstone,  in  the  counties  aforesaid, 
until  others  shall  be  chosen  according  to  the  manner,  customs, 
and  methods  now  in  use  among  the  said  Protestant  Dutch 
Reformed  Churches,  which  persons  so-called,  elected,  and  chosen, 
shall  have  all  the  powers  and  authorities  of  the  above-named 
trustees,  and  all  and  every  such  jjerson  or  persons  so  newly 
called,  elected,  and  chosen,  as  aforesaid,  shall  remain  until  other 
fit  persons  in  like  manner  be  called,  elected,  and  chosen,  in  their 
respective  rooms  and  places,  and  so,  toties  quoties. 

And  we  do  further  ordain,  give,  grant,  that  there  be  a  meeting 
of  the  several  trustees  of  the  churches  aforesaid,  at  the  Raritan  pub- 
lic place  of  worship,  in  the  County  of  Somerset,  on  the  first  Tues- 
day of  August  next  after  the  date  of  these  our  letters  patent, 
and  thereafter  at  such  time  or  times,  place  or  places,  within  the 
said  counties  as  to  them  or  the  major  part  of  them  shall  seem 
meet  and  convenient ;  and  then  and  there,  by  plurality  of  votes, 
choose  a  president  out  of  them,  for  the  time  being,  who  shall 
have  the  custody  of  the  seal  or  seals  of  the  said  Corporation,  and 
all  books,  charters,  deeds,  and  writings,  any  way  relating  to  the 
said  Corporation  ;  and  shall  have  power  from  time  to  time,  and  all 
times  hereafter,  as  occasion  shall  require,  to  call  a  meeting  of  the 
said  trustees,  at  such  a  i^lace  within  the  said  counties  as  he  shall 
think  convenient,  for  the  execution  of  all  or  any  of  the  powers 
hereby  given  and  granted  ;  and  in  case  of  sicknes<5,  removal,  or 
death  of  the  president,  all  tlie  powers  by  these  presents  granted 
to  the  president,  shall  remain  on  the  senior  trustee  upon  record, 
until  the  recovery  of  the  president,  or  until  a  new  president  be 
chosen  as  aforesaid.  And  we  do  further  will,  ordain,  give,  or 
grant  that  every  act  and  order  of  the  major  part  of  the  said  trustees 
consented  or   airreed  to  at  such   meeting  as  aforesaid  shall  be 


322  HISTORICAL   NOTES. 

good,  valid,  and  efFiictual  to  all  intents  and  purposes  as  if  the 
said  number  of  the  Avhole  trustees  had  consented  and  agreed 
thereto.  And  we  do  further  will  and  ordain  that  all  the  acts  of 
the  said  trustees,  or  any  of  them,  shall  from  time  to  time  be  fliirly 
entered  in  a  book  or  books,  to  be  kept  for  that  purpose  by  the 
president  of  the  trustees,  tOL^ether  with  the  seal  of  the  said  cor- 
poration ;  and  all  charters,  deeds,  writings  whatsoever,  any  way 
belonging  to  the  said  Corporation,  shall  be  delivered  over  by  the 
former  president  to  the  president  of  the  said  trustees  newly  elect-, 
ed,  as  such  president  shall  hereafter  successively  from  time  to 
time  be  chosen.  And  w^e  do  further  of  our  special  certain  know- 
ledge and  mere  motion  for  iis,  our  heirs  and  successors,  by  these 
presents  give  and  grant  unto  the  said  trustees  of  the  Dutch  Re- 
formed Church,  the  ministers,  elders,  and  deacons  above-named, 
and  their  successors  forever,  that  they  and  their  successors,  all 
and  singular,  the  rights,  privileges,  powers,  benefits,  emoluments, 
and  advantages  to  be  hereby  granted,  shall  and  may  forever  here- 
after have,  hold,  enjoy,  and  use  without  hindrance  or  impediment 
of  us,  our  heirs  or  successors,  or  of  any  of  the  justices,  sheriffs, 
escheaters,  coroners,  bailiffs,  or  other  officers  and  ministers,  what- 
soever of  us,  our  heirs  or  successors  ;  and  that  these  our  letters 
being  entered  upon  record  in  our  secretary's  office  of  New-Jersey, 
and  the  record  and  the  enrollments  thereof,  and  either  of  them 
and  all  and  every  thing  therein  contained,  from  time  to  time  and 
at  all  times  hereafter,  be  and  shall  be  firm,  valid,  good,  sufficient, 
and  effectual  in  law  towards  and  against  us,  our  heirs  and  suc- 
cessors according  to  the  true  intent  and  meaning  thereof,  and  in 
and  through  all  things  shall  be  construed  and  taken  and  expound- 
ed most  benignly  and  in  flivor  for  the  greatest  advantage  and 
profit  of  the  trustees  of  the  said  Dutch  Reformed  Church  of 
Raritan,  North-Branch,  New-Brunswick,  Six-Mile  Run,  and  Mill- 
stone in  the  counties  aforesaid,  and  their  successors  forever,  not- 
Avithstanding  any  defect,  default,  or  imperfection  may  be  found 
therein,  or  any  other  cause  or  thing  whatsoever.  In  testimony 
whereof  we  have  caused  these  our  letters  to  be  made  patent,  and 
the  great  scale  of  our  province  to  be  hereunto  affixed,  and  the 
same  to  be  entered  of  record  in  our  secretary's  office  of  said  Pro- 
vince of  NcAV- Jersey  in  one  of  the  books  of  record  therein  remain- 
ing. Witness  our  well  beloved  and  trusty  Jonathan  Belcher,  Esq., 


HISTORICAL   NOTES.  323 

our  Captain-General,  and  Governor-in-Chicf  in  and  over  our  said 
Province  of  Xew-Jersey,  Chancellor  and  Vice-Adniiral  of  the 
same,  by  and  with  the  advice  and  consent  of  our  council  of  our 
said  Province  at  Burlington,  the  seventh  day  of  June,  and  in  the 
twenty-sixth  year  of  our  reign. 

(Signed)  JONATHAN  BELCHER,  Gov. 


INDEX 


Anderson.  W.     Pastor  of  Peapack,  311. 

Antonitles,  F.  Ordains  a  Consistory  at  Six- 
Mile  Run  irrei^iilarly.  225  ;  also  at  Ihrce- 
Mile  Run,  24(» ;  sketch  of,  255. 

Arondeiis,  J.  Assists  those  disaffected  to 
Frelinghuysen,  255  ,'  action  of  the  Coetus 
respecting,  250. 

Bailey,  W.    Settles  at  Wliite  House,  .301. 
Bartliolf,  G.     Ordains  elders  and  deacons  at 
Raritan,  1.5'.t,  KJl  ;  his  zeal  and  labors,  162. 
Bedminster  Church,  283. 
Bers,  II.  C.     Pastor  at  Kocky-IIill,  315. 
Berber.  M.  L.     Pastor  at  East-Millstone,  315. 
Blair.  R.  J.     Sketch  of.  289. 
Blawenbun.'  Church,  262.  303. 
Boundlirook  Church,  3(i9. 
Braiichville  Church,  312. 

Campbell,  J.  K.,  302. 

Cannon,  J.  S.  Settled  at  Six-Mile  Run  and 
Millsione,  filled  the  chair  of  Eccle^insti- 
cal  History.  230;  sketches  by  Dr.  John 
I'roiidfit  and  Dr.  G.  Ludlow,  231. 

Carroll.  F.  P..     Pastor  of  I'ottersville,  316. 

Chambers.  T  W  Settled  in  Second  Church 
of  Haritan,  307. 

Charter  of  the  Five  Churches,  318. 

Clinton  Station  Church,  31". 

Clover  Hill  Church.  306 

Coens,  Ilcnricus.  Organizes  the  church  of 
Harliiigen,  253;  an  active  minister,  254. 

Cole,  D.     Settled  at  East-Millstone,  314. 

Comfort,  L.  L.     Pastor  at  While  House.  301. 

Condit,  Ira.  Settles  at  New-Brunswick,  be- 
comes Vice-President  of  the  College,  Dr. 
(Gannon's  sketch.  214. 

Conklinir,  N.  Payer,  1.^4. 

Cornell.  E.     Pastor  of  Stanton,  30.S. 

.  J.  A.  II.     Pastor  of  Raritan  Third,  311. 

Craven,  E.  R.  Labors  four  years  in  the  Se- 
cond Church  of  Paritan,  307. 

Dalliker,  F.    Ministers  at  Lebanon,  293. 
Dater,  H.    Ordained  and  installed  at  Branch- 

ville,  312. 
Demarest,  C.  T.    Ministry  at  White  House, 

299. 
,  D.  D.    Pastor  of  New-Brunswick  Se- 
cond Church,  308. 
,   W     Settled  at  Clover  Hill,  300:  at 

Boundbrook,  310. 
Doolittle,  H.    Settled  at  Stanton,  308. 

,  P.  M.,  .302. 

Duryea.   J.      Called   to    Raritan,    196 ;    third 

revival  extends  into  his    pastorate,  32; 

he  resigns  and  preaches  at  Bedminster, 

White  "House,  etc.,  198. 
Dutcher,  J.  C,  310. 


East-Millstone  Church,  283,  313. 

Easton  Churcli,  312. 

Edgar,  C.  H.    Second  i)astor  at  Eastcn,  313. 

Fehrman.  J.     Pastor  at  High-Bridge,  317. 
Ferris,    Isaac.     Pastor  at    New-BrunBwick, 

Albany,  and  New- York,  220. 
Fisher,  G.  H.    Setthcl  at  North-Branch,  302. 

,  I.  M.     Sketch  of,  287. 

Foering,   C.   F.     Called  to   Millstone,  270; 

ske'ich  of.  277. 
Fonda,  J.     Settles  at  Nassau,  and  removes  to 

New-Brunswick,  sketch  by  Dr.  Forsyth, 

Frelinghuysen,  T.  J.  Called  from  Holland, 
20,  103,  20S  ;  experimental  i)reaching  of 
20,  109:  lesiilts  of  bis  niinistrv,  28,  169, 
sketch  of,  105;  Whitefield  iind  G  Ten- 
nant  attest  his  faithfulness.  liiS.  210;  op- 
positidH  to.  172  ;  bis  scholarship.  174,175  ; 
the  Advocate  and  Complaint,  175:  his  in- 
timacywithSchuremaii,  180;  latteryears, 
184  ;  date  of  death  uncertain.  174. 

,  Theodore.      Pastor  at  Albany,   181 ; 

visits  Holland  as  agent  of  the  Coetus, 
and  never  returns,  182. 

,  John.     Settles  in  his   father's   place, 

182;  founds  a  theological  school  and  dies, 
183;  revival  under,  31. 

,  Jacobus  and  Ferdinandus.     Licensed 

by  the  Classis  of  Utrecht,  but  die  on  the 
voyage  home,  183. 

,  Henricus.     Licensed  by  the  Coetus, 

183;  ordained  at  Marbletown  and  dies  of 
small-pox,  184. 

Froeliijh.  S.  Preaches  at  Neshanic,  271  ; 
called  to  Millstone  and  call  acted  upon 
by  Coetus.  277:  removes  to  Hackeiisack, 
secedes,  and  founds  the  True  Reformed 
Dutch  Church,  278, 

Fryeiimoet,  1).  Endeavors  to  settle  in  Rari- 
tan, 240-8. 

Gardener,  J.     Pastor  at  Ilarlingen,  208. 
German  Churcbes  in  Warren,  Plainfield,  and 

New-Brunswick.  317. 
Ge<ner,  O.     Setlled  at  Rocky-Hill.  31.5. 
Griggstown  Church,  ;308 

Hard,-;nbergh,  C.  Called  to  Bedminster.  his 
character  and  work,  286. 

,  J.  15.  Called  from  Helderberg  to  New- 
Brunswick.  220. 

,  .1.  U.     Ministered  in  troublous  times, 

31  ;  marries  the  widow  of  John  Freling- 
huysen and  settles  at  Haritan,  185;  re- 
moves to  New  lirunswick.  213;  sketch 
of  his  life  and  ministry,  185;  Br.  Living- 
ston's tribute  to.  191. 


326 


INDEX. 


Harlingen  Chiircl!,  25S. 

"  Helpers  "  appointed,  27,  30,  171. 

Hennance,  U     Character  and  ministry,  304. 

High-Bridge  Church,  317. 

How,  S.  B.  Called  from  Dickinson  College 
to  New- Brunswick,  where  for  twenty- 
one  years  he  was  a  laborious  and  faithful 
pastor,  221. 

inians,  J.  Forms  the  settlement"  at  the 
river,  100,  205. 

Jones,  T.  W.    Labors  at  Pottersville.  316. 

Janeway,  J.  J.  Called  from  the  Western 
Theological  Seminary  to  New-Bruns- 
wick, 230. 

Knox,  J.  H.  M.    First  pastor  of  Easton,  313. 

Labas'h,  P.  Settled  at  Havlin^en  and  Nesha- 
nic,  and  afterward  at  Harlingen  alone,  333; 
Drs.  Ludlow  and  Bethune's  impressions 
of  him,  2(i.5 

Lebanon  Church.  290. 

Le  Fever.  J.     Pastor  of  Rarilan  Third,  311. 

Leydecker,  O.  Preachts  at  Readin^ton  to  the 
Conferentie.  249. 

Leydt,  J.  Called  to  New-Brunswick  and  li- 
censed and  ordained  by  the  Coetiis  di- 
rectly, 211 ;  he  and  his  sons  Matthew  and 
Peter  die  nearly  at  the  same  time,  213. 

Livingston,  E.  P.     Called  toGriggstown,  .309. 

Lloyd,  A.  Settled  at  White  House  in  1855, 
removes  to  Pekin,  111.,  1857,  301. 

Lord,  J.  S.    Called  to  Griggstown,  309. 

Ludlow,  G.  Prayer  at  anniversary,  142 ;  fifty 
years  pastor  at  Neshanic,  and  labors  ap- 
preciated, 272. 

,  J.      Pastor  at   New-Brunswick  and 

twice  Professor  in  the  Seminary,  218. 

Mc William,  A.     Pastor  at  East-Millstone,  315. 

Merslion,  S.  L.,  305. 

Mesick.  J.  P.  Called  to  Second  Church  of 
Raritan,  307. 

Messier,  A.  Foriieth  anniversary  of  settle- 
ment at  Raritan,  141. 

Middlebush  Chnrch,  305. 

]\Iillstone  Church,  273. 

Ministers  raised  up  in  the  Church  of  Raritan, 
130,  204. 

Neahanic  Chuich.  268. 
New-Biunswiek  Church.    Notes  on,  204. 
New-Bruns-vvick  Second  Churcli,  308. 
Norlli-Braiich  Church,  302. 

Osborn,  T.     Labors  effectively  in  the   fifth 

revival  at  Raritan,  34. 
Otterson,  J.     Sketch  of,  300. 

Pastorates  in  Church  of  Raritan.  Compara- 
tive length  of,  131. 

Peapack  Church,  311. 

Phraner,  W.  H.  Labors  at  East-Millstone, 
315. 

Pitcher  Wm.    Pastor  of  Branchville,  312. " 

Polhemus,  H.  Preaches  at  Harlingen  and 
Neshanic.  262. 

Pottersville  Church,  815. 

Quick,  A.  M.    Address,  150. 

Baritan.  Changes  during  forty  years,  126, 1.3-3. 

Church.    Notes  on,  159. 

Second  Church,  306. 

Third  Church,  310. 


Raritan.     The  revivals  in,  20. 

1.  First,  under  Rev.  Theodore  Jac.  Fre- 

linghuysen,  22. 

2.  The  second,  under  Rev.  John  Freling- 

huysen,  31. 

3.  The  third,  under  Rev.  Theodore  F.  Ro- 

meyn  and  John  Duryea,  32. 

4.  The  fourth  and  fifth,  under  Rev.  John 

S.  Vredenburgh,  33.  . 

5.  The  sixth,  under  the  present  pastor, 

34. 

Reading! on  Church.  239. 

Rocky-Hill  Church,  315. 

Romaine,  B.  F..  310. 

Romey  n,  J.  Sketch  of  his  character  and  min- 
istry, 235. 

,  i'.  B.    Pastor  at  Blawenburg,  304. 

,  T.  F.    Called  to  Raritan,  ministers, 

and  dies  during  the  third  revival,  32,  195. 

Schenck,  G.  C.  First  pastor  of  Clover  Hill. 
306. 

,  G.    Pastor  at  Bedminster.  288. 

,  M.  S.    Called  to  Rocky-Hill,  315. 

Schlatter.  M.  .\  German  niissionaiy  in  Phi- 
ladelphia visits  and  preaches  for  the  Ger- 
mans in  Lebanon,  Amwell,  and  Fos  Hill, 
290.  292. 

Schi'ltz,  J.  J.  His  character  and  ministrv, 
295.  305. 

Schnreman,  J.  Pastor  at  New-Brunswick, 
215;  Dr.  Livinsston  sketches  him,  216, 
279 ;  Dr.  G.  Ludlow's  descriiition,  279, 285, 

Searle,  S.    Settled  at  Griggstown,  309. 

Sears.  J.  C.     Pastor  at  Six'Mile  Run. 

Six-Mile  Run  Church,  223. 

Smith,  W.  R.  Called  to  Harlingen  and  Ne- 
shanic and  preaches  twenty-flve  years  in 
English,  261  ;  sketch  of.  271. 

Smock,  J.  H.     Preaches  at  Readington,  253. 

Somerset  County.     Spiritual  coLdition,  164; 
first  house  of  worship  in,  205. 
court  house  burned,  277. 


Stanton  Church,  307. 

Statistics  of  membership,  130. 

Steele,  K.  H.     Pastor  at  New-Brunswick,  223. 

Stryker,  P.     Settled  in  Raritan  Third,  310 ; 

removes  to  Rliinebeck.  311. 
Studdiford,  P.    Preaches  at  Readington  and 

Bedminster,  251. 
Sturgis,  Smith.  301. 
Swayne,  G.  W.,  305. 

Talmage,  G.     Does  a  good  work  at'jWhite 

House,  300. 
,  J  R.    Second  pastor  at  Blawenburg 

304. 
Thompson,  H.  P.     Second  pastor  of  Peapack 

Church,  312. 
Todd,  A.  F.     Address,  1.53. 
,  J.   A.     Address  at  ar.niversary,  144; 

settled  at  Griggstown,  309. 

Van  Aniburi;h,  R.  Twice  pastor  at  Lebanon, 
297 ;  pastor  at  High  Bridge,  and  secured 
a  good  edifice,  317. 

Van  Arsdale,  J.  R.  Called  to  Stanton  and 
removes  to  Tyre,  308. 

Van  Arsdalen.  S.     Called  to  Readington,  250, 

Van  Bergli.  Dinah  Her  e.xcellent  character 
and  influence,  191. 

Van  Doren,  J.  .\.  Pastor  at  Middlebush  and 
removes  to  Lodi,  305. 

Van  HarliuL'en,  J.  M.  Pastor  at  jMillstone 
and  !^ix-Mile  Run,  227.  279  ;  becomes  Pro- 
fessor of  Hebrew,  described  by  Dr.  Wyc- 
kofi",  228. 


INDEX. 


32i 


Van  Ilarlingen.  Joh.  M.    Pastor  of  Harlineien  j 
and  Neshanic  for  tliirty-tliree  years,  200. 

Van  Klcek,  K.  D.     Settles  at  Somcrvillc,  re- 
moves  to   Baskini;   liidu'c,    Caiiajoliarie,  | 
Flatbusli,  ami  dies  in  Jersey  City,  'Mi. 

Van  Liew,  J.  Pastor  of  Keadington  forty- 
two  years,  252. 

Van  Neste,  G.  J.    Pastor  at  Boiindbrook,  310. 

Van  Slyke,  J.  G.  Ordained  and  installed 
at  Readini,'-ton.  253.         ^ 

Vander  Wall,  G.  lustalled'at  East-MillBtone, 
314. 

Voorhees.  H.  V.     Settled  at  BoundDrook,  310. 

Vredenlinrpfh,  J.  S.  Settled  at  Haritan,  199; 
reaps  the  fourth  revival  at  Raritan,  33; 
the  filth  followed  directly  upon  his  death, 


Mrs.  Woodward's  notice,  199  ;  sketch  by 
Dr.  J.  Ferris,  200. 

Wack,  C.    Pastor  at  Rockaway,  293. 
C.  P.,  296. 


Whitefleld  preaches  in  New-Brunswick.  210. 
Whitehead,  C.     Called  from  Hopewell,  N.  Y., 

to  Karitan  Second,  307. 
White  House  Churcli,  297. 
Williamson.  P.  S.,  299. 
Wilson.  A.  D.,  302. 
Wirts,  J.  C.    Preaches  at  German  Valley  and 

Rockaway,  2y2. 
W^yckoff,  0.  First  Pastor  at  High-Bridge,317. 

Zabriskie.  J.  L.    Settles  at  Millstone,  sketch 
of  his  character  and  ministry,  12S. 


Date  Due 

}^^&i 

t 

'"-^^" 

mef 

($) 

PRINTED 

IN  U.  S.  A. 

